New Castle storms past McGuffey with big 3rd quarter
Malik Hooker scored 26 points and top-seeded New Castle broke open a close game in the third quarter and went on to defeat McGuffey 73-40 Saturday afternoon in the WPIAL Class AAAA boys basketball quarterfinals at Ambridge.
New Castle (21-2) advances to the semifinals Wednesday night against fourth-seeded Central Valley while McGuffey (18-6) waits to see if it will advance to the state tournament. The Highlanders, coming off the first playoff victory in school history Wednesday over Valley, will be included in the PIAA playoffs if New Castle defeats Central Valley.
After New Castle scored the game’s first 11 points, McGuffey battled back and closed to within 190-11 after one quarter and outscored the Red Hurricane 14-8 in the second quarter to cut New Castle’s lead to only 27-25.
New Castle, however, broke the game open by outscoring McGuffey 27-3 in the pivotal third quarter to open a 54-28 advantage.
Geno Stone scored 18 points for New Castle.
Girls results
Neshannock 65, Charleroi 36: For the second year in a row, Neshannock knocked Charleroi out of the WPIAL playoffs.
After losing to the Lancers in the first round last season, Charleroi fell in the quarterfinals Saturday, losing 65-36 at North Hills.
Third-seeded Neshannock (22-1), which has won 14 in a row, advances to the semifinals Wednesday and will play undefeated and second-seeded East Allegheny. Charleroi (19-5) will make the PIAA playoffs if Neshannock defeats East Allegheny.
Neshannock broke open the game by outscoring Charleroi 21-4 in the second quarter to take a 41-13 lead.
Carmella Matarazzo and Bella Burrelli each scored 19 points to lead the Lancers.
Kaitlyn Riley was the leading scorer for Charleroi with 12 points, including nine in the third quarter when the Cougars outscored the Lancers 13-8. Maria Claybaugh scored 10 points.