Savisky joins Point Park
PITTSBURGH — A little networking is a good thing, especially if it helps land you to your college choice.
Katresa Savisky, a graduate of Butler High School, spent the past season at Butler County Community College, but was looking to make a move.
Enter former Butler High grad and BC3 coach Tony Grenek, who recently announced the transfer of Savisky to his new school, Point Park University.
“Tony’s from Butler and my past couple of coaches in AAU are friends with him,” said Savisky, who will major in psychology. “I called him up and told him I was looking to go somewhere.”
Grenek received a call on his way to work from his friend Paul Delaney, who said he saw Savisky while working at the YMCA.
“He said Katresa was looking to transfer out of BC3 and if I would be interested in her,” Grenek said.
“We invited her to the campus with her father. The second time she came to sign her letter of intent, her mother came and Katresa brought Ashley (Campbell, a BC3 teammate in basketball who will play volleyball and possibly basketball).
“Katresa’s looking for a change, a different experience on a different level,” Grenek added.
Said Savisky, “I love the city and would love to live down there.”
Savisky played a key role in three section titles in her final three years at Butler High School, then as a freshman with the Pioneers, led the team in points (17.2) and rebounds (5.1) per game.
She led the team to its first NJCAA Region XX championship, where she was named the Most Valuable Player, then helped the Pioneers finished sixth in the national tournament.
Grenek knows Savisky will fit right in with the Point Park program.
“She’s an excellent athlete,” said Grenek. “I knew she did a nice job in track in high school and a pretty good senior year at Butler in basketball.
“I saw her a couple of times at BC3 ... She has a very good middle-range game. She runs the floor, she’s 5-foot-9 and can run the press.
“We look for players who are 5-9, 5-10 that can get up the floor and run the floor well,” Grenek added.
Savisky knows making the transition from junior college to Point Park, especially after one season, will take a great deal of effort.
“I understand the talent level will be a lot better, faster, stronger,” Savisky said. “I’m ready for the challenge and looking to push myself.
“I’m willing to do what’s asked of me. I’m really looking forward to bringing the defensive side. Last year with Coach (Dick) Hartung, we only had a few girls, so we couldn’t really do that.”
