New Castle knocks out Erie
Boice, Anderson combine to score 37 points vs. upset-minded Erie
Some eyebrows were raised when Erie High knocked out City League power Allderdice in a sub-regional state playoff game 11 days ago.
New Castle (23-3) wasn’t about to be a second upset victim of the upstart District 10 Royals (16-10).
The host Hurricanes got a game-high 19 points from Isaiah Boice and 18 from Jonathan Anderson as they polished off Erie, 60-50, in a 6A first-round state playoff game Saturday.
Erie held a 32-30 lead and was holding for the last shot of the first half when two New Castle steals in the final six seconds resulted in a 2-pointer and a 3-pointer from Anderson and a 35-32 halftime lead for the Hurricanes.
New Castle then held Erie to just four points in the third quarter and went on a 9-0 run ro grab a 46-36 lead early in the fourth quarter and control of the game.
Jahiem Mims led the Erie scoring with 13 points.
Other Class 6A Central Catholic 50, West Lawn Wilson 28:
The WPIAL champion Vikings (17-9) got double-figure scoring from Cole Sullivan (13 points), Dante DePante (10) and Tommy Kristian (10) and used a stifling defense to tame the District 3 Bulldogs (19-10) at Gateway. Central led 24-15 at halftime and steadily increased its lead in the final two quarters.
StateCollege 72, Upper St. Clair 42: Penn State recruit Braden Shrewsberry, the son of Penn State coach Micah Shrewberry, scored 20 points as did teammate Issac Dye, helping the District 6 champion Little Lions (24-2) coast past the Panthers (16-10). State College will meet Central Catholic in the second round.
Class 3A
Steel Valley 74, Bedford 60: Makhai Valentine, Steel Valley’s all- time leading scorer with 1,751 points, had 42 against the District 5 Bison (10-15) to help the visiting Ironmen (16-10) advance to the second round.
Neshannock 61, Oil City 59: The visiting Lancers (177) rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring the District 10 Oilers, 26-13, to pull out the win. Neshannock got a big game from Jack Giles, who tallied 33 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals. Oil City finishes at 19-7.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 71, Westmont Hilltop 69 (OT): Rocco Coladonato and Bryson Kirschner each scored 16 points and R.J. Vaughn added 14 as the Chargers (20-6) outlasted the District 6 Hilltoppers (17-8) at South Fayette. Ryan Craft had a game-high 30 points and Noah Brownlee chipped in with 23 for Westmont Hilltop. OLSH trailed at halftime, 3118, before rallying in the second half.
Deer Lakes 75, Seneca 34:
The WPIAL champion Lancers (18-8) recorded their first state playoff win behind a 24point effort from Bryce Roberson and a 17-point game from Bill Schaeffer. The visiting District 10 Seneca Bobcats (13-13) were dominated early, falling behind 49-23 at halftime.
Franklin 75, Shady Side Academy 43: The District 10 Knights (22-4) advance to the second round against Our
Lady of the Sacred Heart after polishing off the visiting Bulldogs (17-10).
Class 2A Bishop Canevin 70, 67:
ClarionShea Champine scored 33 points to help the visiting Crusaders (21-6) turn back the District 9 Lions (25-3).
Eden Christian Academy 58,Conemaugh Township 50:
Ryan Merrick had a game-high 17 points and David Ryan added 16 as the visiting Warriors (20-6) got past the District 6 Indians (19-8). Eden Christian outscored Conemaugh in the second half, 3124.
Northgate 67, McConnellsburg 42: The host Flames (20-7)jumped out to a 42-15 halftime lead to gain an easy win against the District 5 Spartans (22-5). Steve Goetz led Northgate with 31 points, including six 3-pointers. Josh Williams added 22.
Erie First Christian 57, Clairton 37: The District 10 Eagles (15-10) easily turned back the Bears (12-15) at Erie’s Hagerty Events Center and will meet Northgate in the second round.
Serra Catholic 75, United 62: Serra (16-11) advanced to the second round with a double-digit win.