New Castle wins section after outlasting Ambridge

Ambridge, fresh off an upset of Class 4A No. 1ranked Quaker Valley, needed its second win in two nights to claim its first section title in 12 years.

But No. 2 New Castle clinched the Section 2 title with a 56-48 victory Saturday at No. 4 Ambridge. Demetris McKnight scored 12 points for the Red Hurricanes (16-4, 10-2) and led a balanced attack with four players in double figures. They were clutch when it counted, converting 9 of 12 from the freethrow line in the fourth quarter.

“This is awesome because we lost five starters from last year and had seniors with little experience and a couple freshmen,” New Castle coach Ralph Blundo said. “For them to work as hard as they did and to win the toughest section in Class 4A and to win the championship on Ambridge’s home floor, I’m just happy for them.”

New Castle also likely clinched the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL playoffs. The tournament seedings will be announced Tuesday.

“I would assume at this point that we’ve earned that but the committee will decide that,” Blundo said.

Ambridge (14-8, 9-3) finished tied for second in the section with Quaker Valley. The Bridgers beat the Quakers twice in the regular season and likely will be the No. 2 seed out of the section.

“We’ve played well and when we make shots like we did [against Quaker Valley] we’re pretty good so we can beat anybody,” Ambridge coach Mark Jula said. “We can also come out [like this game] and not make shots and score seven points in the first quarter.”

Even with its inability to find the basket early, Ambridge was only down, 2317, at halftime. But New Castle opened the second half with a 7-0 run.

Ambridge wasn’t done, though. It continually chipped away until it got to within 47-46 on a threepoint play from Aaron Hilzendeger, who finished with a game-high 27 points. Then the Bridgers stalled. Ambridge had an opportunity to reclaim the lead for the first time since the first quarter but turned it over.

The Bridgers’ Isaiah Thomas tied the score, 4848, with 2:43 remaining, but missed the front end of a 1and-1.

With the game still tied, Hilzendeger was called for a charge for his fourth foul. After the whistle, senior Eric Chambers slammed the ball to the court and, as it climbed toward the ceiling, he was called for a technical foul that gave New Castle two free throws and possession.

“These are obviously high school guys and you obviously can’t slam the ball on the ground, but you can’t get hammered and not get a call,” Jula said.

Ambridge never scored again. Sheldon Cox hit both free throws after the technical and New Castle ended the game on an 8-0 run.

“Composure is so important in this game and we talk a lot about it,” Blando said. “Kids are kids and they can break your heart. ... You teach them to be composed and it was on our board to be composed . ... It was a key because it was going to be a game of swings and we had to be in the right frame of mind for 32 minutes.”