Blackhawk press paves way for win

Blackhawk needed to change the tempo of the game, and that’s exactly what it did in the second half.

After being down by one at halftime, the Cougars (8-7, 7-0) outscored Ambridge (9-7, 5-2), 24-18, in the third quarter and never relinquished the lead for a crucial 63-55 road win in Class 4A Section 2.

“We just needed to get our press going in the second half,” Blackhawk head coach Steve Lodovico said. “We needed to be more up-tempo. It was in their favor in the first half.”

This was the third win in a row for the No. 3 Cougars and second time this year they beat their section rivals. Mackenzie Amalia led three Cougars in double figures with 18 points.

“We are starting to hit our stride,” Lodovico said. “We are doing things we needed to do to get open shots. Any girl can lead us in scoring, which is big for us.”

Cara Haslett led the No. 4 Bridgers with 17 points. 6 for 6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and finished the game 12 for 12. Sierra Kotchman led Trinity to its ninth win in a row with 19 points. The loss snapped a four game winning streak for the Falcons.

Coming into the game, Our Lady of Sacred Heart (115, 6-2) and Chartiers-Houston (14-2, 8-0) were the top two teams in Class 2A Section 1. There was little doubt afterward who is the better team as Chartiers-Houston came away with a 53-34 win at home. Alexa Williamson led the Buccaneers to their eighth consecutive win with 21 points. The loss snapped the Chargers eight-game win streak. Both of the Chargers losses in the section are against the Bucs.

Peters Township (10-4, 5-1) completed a fourth quarter comeback and hung on to a 46-41 home win against Baldwin (7-7, 2-4) in Class 6A Section 3. Lauren Gilbert missed a 3-point attempt to tie the score with eight seconds left. Makenna Marisa led the Indians with 15 points.

Ringgold (7-7) got 16 points and 15 rebounds from Ashley Briscoe to beat Class 1A No. 4 Cornell (10-4) 5040 at home. Senior Daeja Quick was held to 12 points for Cornell. She entered the game averaging 23 points per Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic’s Sam Breen goes up for the ball against Deer Lakes’ Brooke Kopinski, left, and Julia Hollibaugh, right, Thursday at Deer Lakes High School. North Catholic won, 77-20. game.