LebCo Athlete of the Week: Riley Hatzfeld (Week Ending February 2, 2025)

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Riley Hatzfeld

Last season, Our Lady of the Cross picked up where Lebanon Catholic left off when it closed in 2020. In its first season competing in the PIAA, the Lions qualified for the District 3 Playoffs. This season, with a record of 13-7, they have once against punched their ticket to Districts. One of the main reasons for their success is Riley Hatzfeld’s dynamic scoring. During the Week of January 26th, Hatzfeld had point totals of 37, 33, & 29. In the game against Veritas Academy on January 31st, Hatzfeld reached the 1,000 point milestone for her career despite it being just her thirty-first varsity contest. Following the week when she etched her name in the OLC record book, the LebCoSports.com voters honored Hatzfeld by choosing her as a LebCo Athlete of the Week.

Through the first sixteen games of the season, Hatzfeld was averaging 31.8 points per game. While it is easy to write her off as a scorer, it is important to recognize that Hatzfeld does anything that is needed to help her team win. At the same time that she was averaging Iverson-like scoring numbers, she was averaging 8.1 rebounds, 4.3 steals, and getting her other talented teammates involved with 3.6 assists per game. Hatzfeld’s scoring totals are actually down this season (34.3 points per game), mainly the result of the focus on strong team play and other players, like Sarah Ventura and MacKenzie Waters, having more opportunities to score.

Surely, her scoring is the result of her playing against other small schools, right? Think again. Often drawing multiple defenders, Hatzfeld has worked to create opportunities on the floor. This has resulted in shooting 40% from the floor while also connecting on 81% of her free throws. She is also dangerous from beyond the three-point line, as was exhibited when she sank six treys against a very tough team from Lancaster Country Day.

Having set a goal of making Districts again this season, Hatzfeld led a strong final push at the end of the season, during which OLC won four of its final five games. This allowed them to finish the regular season with a 13-7 record, giving them the #9-seed in the 1A Tournament. They will face #8 Covenant Christian on Monday night in a bid to extend their season and, by default, Hatzfeld’s high school career.

What a career it has been, made even more unbelievable by the fact that Hatzfeld was left guessing what her future held following the closure of Lebanon Catholic. It turns out that it was merely a bump in the road, as she found her calling leading the newly formed OLC team. Over the past two seasons, Hatzfeld’s on-court leadership has helped the Lions to a 24-15 record.

Hatzfeld has also gained high praise of OLC Head Coach Patti Hower. The coaching legend said of Hatzfeld: “Riley is one of the most talented players I have ever coached. She has worked extremely hard on her own to make herself a better player each day. She has a passion for the game which is a joy to coach and watch each day at practice and in games.”

Beyond Hatzfeld’s work ethic, Hower went on to talk about her personality, saying, “Even though Riley does most of our scoring she always congratulates her teammates when they make a positive play whether on offense of defense. She is truly a team player.”

While Hatzfeld’s impact has been immediate for the fledging program, Hower sees her legacy on Grace Avenue as being long-term. Hower told LebCoSports.com, “Riley will be remembered as an inspiration to our younger players (who admire and love her), a great role model, and the foundation on which our newly formed girls’ basketball program was built.”

As for Hatzfeld personally, she is looking to continue her basketball playing days if she can find an opportunity at the college level. Given what she has shown over these past two seasons, Hatzfeld would be a great addition to any program.

Outside of the success of her own team, Hatzfeld was able to double-down on her excitement when she watched her Philadelphia Eagles dominate the Kansas City Chiefs last week.

She will now lead the Lions into battle on Monday night, hoping to overcome the underdog status much like she watched the Eagles do on Super Bowl Sunday. And much like Jalen Hurts, Hatzfeld knows that she has a strong cast around her that will be ready when called upon.

We wish Riley and every member of the Our Lady of the Cross Lions the best of luck in Districts.

Photos for this article were provided courtesy of Our Lady of the Cross

Check out articles about the other most recent LebCo Athletes of the Week:

Kailah Correa

 RJ Young

For a full list of recent nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: January 27 – February 2

This Season’s Previous Female Winners

Mya Doster (Week of December 2nd)

Olivia Shutter (Week of December 2nd)

Kaila Francis (Week of December 9th)

Liliana Harrison (Week of December 9th)

Lily Harchuska (Holidays)

Maddie Stout (Holidays)

Qynne Demler (Week of January 6th)

Hayley Sheroky (Week of January 6th)

Susie Hoffman (Week of January 13th)

Dakota Dengler (Week of January 20th)

Kenzie Eckhart (Week of January 20th)