WPIAL Semifinals Wednesday Spotlight Game: New Castle 77 – Kiski Area 23

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, February 27, 2014 | 12:59 AM

Totally dominant. That is the best description for New Castle’s 77-23 semifinal win over Kiski on Wednesday night at North Allegheny High School. The Red Hurricanes (25-0) used scoring runs of 7, 6 and 6 points in the first half to build a 22-point lead at halftime, then put the pedal down with full throttle in the third, outscoring the Cavaliers 27-3 to kick in the mercy rule.

Senior Malik Hooker, an Ohio State football recruit, scored 20 points and continued his streak of YouTube moments with a tremendous one-handed jam down the lane. The thunderous jam brought a standing ovation from the over one thousand New Castle fans in attendance.

New Castle led 17-9 after one quarter, helped by the outside shooting of Anthony Richards and Drew Allen. The senior duo combined for three trifectas in the first, New Castle hit 9 three pointers on the night. Hooker scored 10 points during the three runs in the second quarter. The Red Hurricanes forced 21 turnovers in the first half, 30 for the game and held Kiski Area to single digits in all four quarters.

Jake McPhatter scored 12 points, Drew Allen and Stew Allen each had 10. After the game, Coach Ralph Blundo talked about McPhatter’s heart, as his father was seriously injured in a car accident on Monday. Richards added 9 points, all on three’s. The West Virginia Wesleyan recruit ran his season total to 90 three pointers and holds the New Castle single game, single season and career three-point records.

New Castle has now won 45 straight games against WPIAL foes and 11 WPIAL playoff games in a row. The Red Hurricanes are 81-2 in the last 83 games, with 76 of those wins coming by 10 or more points. With tonight’s win, New Castle has now racked up 16 mercy rules wins over the last two seasons.

The Red Hurricanes will go for their 10th WPIAL title on Saturday night at 7pm against Hampton at the A.J. Palumbo Center. New Castle has defeated Hampton the last two years in the championship game and the Canes have beaten the Talbots 7-straight times. New Castle is now 25-0 on the season, they are ranked 2nd in the state by the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Kiski Area falls to 17-7, Michael Simmons led the way with 10 points for the Cavaliers. Both teams qualify for the PIAA tournament.

Tags: Kiski School