Hempfield's Allison Podkul perfect fit for Grove City women's basketball

These are the best of times for the Grove City women’s basketball team, and at the center of Wolverines success is sophomore Allison Podkul.

Technically, the 5-foot-8 Podkul is an undersized power forward for Grove City, but the Hempfield graduate is playing a big role for the second-place team in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Grove City (23-2, 14-2 PAC) already set a single-season team record for victories, and the Wolverines are the only conference team to beat first-place Saint Vincent. They take a 10-game win streak into the PAC Tournament, for which GCC has a bye into the semifinals Friday.

“We’re excited for what’s happening and for the future,” Podkul said Thursday, a day after her 13-point, 12-rebound effort helped Grove City beat Westminster, 79-76, in overtime. “There were 43 other teams who laid the foundation for this team, and it’s really cool to see the progression.”

Grove City coach Chelle Fuss calls this group “Team 44” — a nod to it being the 44th year of the program. She also talks about the “love and joy” permeating the Wolverines and an interesting approach to an unprecedented season for the Wolverines.

“It’s been fun to be part of something special,” Fuss said. “The girls are sticking to the process. We play a five-minutes-at-a-time concept. We’re always saying, ‘Fresh five,’ or ‘Five minutes at a time. Go win this five minutes,’ from the bench.”

It’s a fitting approach for Podkul.

“One of the things that I noticed right away when I visited was how the teammates cheered for each other. There’s a special bond. I’d trust these girls with anything,” Podkul said. “I think playing five minutes at a time gives us a sense of purpose. It helps us stay focused when you make small goals every game.”

And Podkul quickly fit in at Grove City.

“She’s just a really neat person, a joy to coach,” Fuss said. “She just has this warrior spirit. She’s all about the team. She has a great commitment and passion for the game.”

Podkul’s passion for basketball made a difficult decision easier.

While at Hempfield, Podkul was a key member of the softball team, and she helped the Spartans win three PIAA and WPIAL titles. She misses the sport but doesn’t regret picking basketball.

Reminiscing about our favorite memories with junior, Lindsey Stanforth and sophomore Allison Podkul #Team44 pic.twitter.com/uy3VtYbrGN

— GCC Women's Hoops (@GCC_WBB) November 11, 2019

Grove City is reaping the benefits of her decision.

In her first season as a full-time starter, Podkul is averaging 10.0 points. She leads the team in free-throw percentage (50 of 61, 82%), ranks second in rebounding (5.8 average) and her .521 shooting percentage (100 of 192) ranks fourth in the PAC.

Fuss credits Podkul’s improvement to her mental toughness and work ethic. Podkul, not surprisingly, is quick to credit others.

“I’m taking a different range of shots this season, more layups. The team is getting me the ball close to the basket,” Podkul said. “Plus, there’s rebounds. I’m getting easier shots.”

That depends on perspective.

Podkul, who mostly played guard at Hempfield and on AAU teams, regularly gives up a couple of inches against opposing post players.

“She is a guard, but I have to have her as a forward on this team,” Fuss said. “It’s amazing how well she’s transitioned to that. Because of her skills, there’s a lot of things we can do with her. … I can pretty much put her anywhere. If I needed her to run the point or play center, she’ll figure it out and do it well.”