By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

The New Castle High girls basketball team turned up the defensive pressure in the second half.

The move paid dividends for the Lady ’Canes.

New Castle pressed and forced Mohawk into mistakes en route to a 35-30 nonsection victory at the Ne-Ca-Hi Field House last night.

The Lady ’Canes (2-1) trailed 20-14 at the break.

“I challenged them at halftime,” first-year New Castle coach Scott Dibble said. “I’m a little reluctant to press because I only go about five or six deep; but pressing could create turnovers and energy.

“We got some easy baskets and the lead.”

Said Lady Warriors coach Mike O’Lare, “We did play a good first half. It took us a while to figure out what style we would play. Then when we did, we played pretty well.”

Kelsey Scott netted a game-high 15 points for New Castle. She was 9 of 12 from the foul line, including 4 of 5 in the fourth frame.

“Scott hit some big free throws for us,” Dibble said. “It was a good, quality win for us. I thought we showed a lot of character.”

Dana Perrotta, who joined Scott on the all-tournament team at New Castle’s tournament last weekend, was next with six points.

Devon Giancola tossed in nine markers for the Lady Warriors (2-1).

O’Lare said New Castle’s pressure was tough on his team.

“They jumped us on the press,” O’Lare said. “We threw the ball away a few possessions in a row in the second half.

“We can’t give anyone the opportunity to feel like they are right back in it. We have a lot of seniors and we expect them to make good decisions. It’s only the third game, there’s plenty of time to get things going.”