By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

Madison McHale delivered in the fourth quarter for the Neshannock High girls basketball team last night.

McHale netted 12 of her game-high 23 points in the final frame to lift the host Lady Lancers to a 48-37 WPIAL Section 2-AA victory over Laurel.

McHale made two layups, while going 8 of 8 at the foul line in the final two minutes and 8 of 9 in the quarter.

“Madison was big in that fourth quarter,” Neshannock coach Luann Grybowski said. “We wanted to get the ball in her hands in that fourth quarter and they were fouling her. She knocked down her free throws.”

The win lifts the Lady Lancers (3-3 section, 6-7 overall) into sole possession of fourth place for the fourth and final playoff berth in the league. Neshannock is one game behind Riverside (4-2, 6-7) for third place. Last night marked the end of the first half in section play.

The Lady Spartans (2-4, 4-9) dip to fifth place with the setback.

“This was a huge victory for us,” Grybowski said. “We know how important it is to split with teams. If you’re tied, you both go.

“It’s just so important to win home games. You have to win your home games and at least split your road games.”

“This game was everything for us,” Laurel coach Jessica Shevitz said. “It’s a tough loss, but there’s still time to bounce back.

“We have a lot of games left to play and you can beat anyone on any given night.”

The teams were tied at 27 through three quarters. Tayler Grybowski, the coach’s daughter, made two 3-pointers and Alexandra Fischer added another to put the Lady Lancers up 10 with around four minutes left.

“They just got hot from the outside and hit some 3s in the fourth quarter,” Shevitz said. “That put us in a position to have to foul down the stretch.

“It was a great game. We just couldn’t close it out.”

Fischer chipped in with 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for the victors. Tayler Grybowski garnered nine markers and seven boards.

Neshannock was 15 of 51 from the field.

“This was a very aggressive, hard-fought game,” Luann Grybowski said. “Both teams played hard at both ends of the floor.

Ellen Shaffer paced the Lady Spartans with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. She was held to six second-half points.

“Ellen is really playing well right now,” Shevitz said. “Something finally clicked for her.”

Luann Grybowski said, “It’s hard to neutralize Shaffer, especially in the half court.”