How CJ Sabo’s love for competition, family has propelled Slippery Rock girls basketball to fast start
SLIPPERY ROCK — CJ Sabo may not have been destined to become a basketball player. She was definitely destined to become an athlete.
Basketball is just her sport of choice.
Slippery Rock High School’s 6-foot senior guard/forward is averaging 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game this season — and keeps getting better.
“I know I can work on my defense and rebound a little more,” Sabo said. “But I just like being able to do whatever the coach needs me to do to help us win.”
Sabo does exactly that for a team that’s off to a 6-1 start, its fastest since 2020-21. She can play all five positions on the court, from bringing the ball up the floor to posting up underneath the basket.
“CJ’s really coming into her own as a player,” her father, John Sabo, said. “The new coach (Jeff Steele) keeps challenging her in different areas, and she’s been receptive to those challenges. He’s brought out the leadership qualities in her. That’s nice to see.”
But not surprising.
CJ’s father was a receiver in football at Slippery Rock University. Her mother played softball at Thiel College. Her older brother, John, is a receiver at SRU and will enter his junior year next season. Younger sister Samantha plays volleyball and basketball.
“We don’t get many multi-generational athletes at Slippery Rock,” Steele said. “Just watching CJ play and compete, I can see where she benefits from that. She never gets down on herself. She knows how to fight through things.
“Her rebounding numbers are a little low because she plays up top on our press. That hurts her defensive rebounding chances. But she’s an excellent passer, and she knows how to create.”
And she knows how to be a good teammate.
“I take pride in being able to pick up my teammates, be encouraging to them,” CJ said. “I think that’s important. I want to be a leader.”
She grew up playing against her brother one-on-one in basketball.
“He helped make me into a physical, competitive player,” she said. “Only recently have I been able to actually beat him.”
“Our family has always been competitive,” John said. “Whether its checkers, basketball, a game of cards ... it doesn’t matter. We all want to win. CJ plays with that edge all the time, no matter the sport.”
CJ “loves all sports,” her mom, Tammi Sabo, said, and was a three-sport athlete for the Rockets, playing volleyball, basketball and softball. She ended her softball career last year after playing AAU ball for a few summers because of injuries. John believes it was her best sport, but he said “she wants to play basketball in college, so she decided to devote more time to that pursuit.”
While receiving some Division III offers to play volleyball and basketball in college, CJ decided to pursue basketball. Slippery Rock and California (Pa.), a pair of PSAC schools, are at the top of her list right now.
The fact her father and brother have played at SRU will not factor into her final decision.
“The location of the school doesn’t matter,” CJ said. “I’m looking for the program that will feel like a second family to me, where I fit in and feel the most comfortable.”
She plans to major in marketing or business.
CJ is already familiar with the SRU women’s basketball team. Her father has hosted many of The Rock’s players for dinner on occasion.
“We’ve had football and basketball players over. I’m still very connected to SRU,” her father said. “CJ’s decision will be her own. She’ll go where she feels she belongs.”
The Rockets are off to their best start after in a few years after going 7-15 and 3-19 the previous two years.
“We’re stacking some wins together now, and that’s helping CJ get some (college) looks,” Steele said. “When you’re having 7-15, 3-19 seasons, college programs aren’t too interested in what you’ve got.
“Now they’re seeing some success here and recognizing CJ’s role in it. Hopefully, she’ll get the opportunity to play in college. She deserves it.”
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