Westmoreland County pair savor senior season at West Virginia Wesleyan

With a shortened season, one sawed in half by a late start and a conference-only schedule, West Virginia Wesleyan women’s basketball players are savoring each minute of every game.

Count Abi Gabauer and Brittany Stawovy among them.

The pair of local seniors have been key contributors for the Bobcats, often seeing court time together in what could be their final go-around at the college level.

They are tied for the team lead in scoring at 11.5 points per game and both have put together some impressive individual performances.

“I love the game,” Gabauer said. “I leave everything on the floor at all times and take nothing for granted.”

A former Norwin standout and Trib Westmoreland Player of the Year, Gabauer is a senior swing-forward who often is the first player off the bench for the Bobcats (3-8). She also pulls down 5.5 rebounds and shoots better than 54% from the field.

Stawovy, a starting guard from Belle Vernon who played at Greensburg Central Catholic, averages 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists, and leads the team with 18 3-pointers.

Gabauer said when the local Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference canceled winter sports, she thought Wesleyan’s Mountain East Conference would follow suit. Both are NCAA Division II leagues.

“It was quite a relief to hear we were going to play, despite it being an abbreviated season,” she said. “I’m extremely grateful to get the chance to compete for my senior year regardless of the amount of games.”

West Virginia Wesleyan is playing 16 games, all in the Mountain East, instead of 32. Players constantly are tested for the coronavirus. Games already have been postponed and rescheduled because of positive cases.

The daily risk-reward keeps players on their toes.

“We never know when our last game could be, and it’s senior year so I’m doing everything I can to just have fun and make the most of it,” Stawovy said. “I’m really grateful to have the chance to play this year.”

The 5-foot-11 Gabauer has scored in double figures five times, including outputs of 26 and 25 points against West Virginia State and David & Elkins, the latter a 68-53 win that saw Gabauer connect on 3 of 4 3-pointers and grab 11 rebounds.

She made 11 of 14 shots in the West Virginia State game.

A traditional forward, Gabauer moved to guard last season and flourished. She returned to the frontcourt this season out of necessity.

“I’ve certainly grown as a player and a person through the collegiate experience,” she said. “I have been able to use those guard skills to create mismatches for the other posts I play against. I’m really proud of the leadership and positive energy I’ve brought to every practice and every game throughout my career.”

Stawovy also had a handful of double-digit scoring games, including an impressive, 27-point effort in an 86-73 victory over Alderson Broaddus. She went 10 for 10 on free throws and added seven rebounds and five assists.

That game earned her a spot in the NCAA.com Division II All-Stats Team for a week.

She had 16 points and 10 rebounds against Notre Dame (Ohio) and scored 22 and snagged 13 rebounds against Fairmont State.

“I think I have improved in most categories as a player each year,” Stawovy said. “I also think I’ve grown as a leader for our team.”

The families of Gabauer and Stawovy have had to follow the players’ progress through online livestreams.

Wesleyan isn’t doing the cardboard cutout thing which, well, just wouldn’t cut it.

“It has been more difficult than I could have imagined playing with no fans in the stands,” Gabauer said. “Whether home or on the road, I’m used to seeing my parents there to cheer me on and greet me after each game.”

Said Stawovy: “It’s been tough for both (her family) and me. I know they really miss being able to watch games in person and see me after my games — and I definitely miss seeing them there, especially being that this is my last season.”

Gabauer said senior night might be a virtual ceremony.

“That saddens me and certainly is not the way I want to end my career,” she said. “It’s been a long journey and I feel the need to share the final moments on the court with my mom and dad in attendance.”

Another comparison between Gabauer and Stawovy: both have only missed three free throws. Gabauer is 19 for 22, Stawovy 24 for 27.