By RON PONIEWASZ JR.
rponiewasz@ncnewsonline.com

The state playoffs aren’t foreign to the New Castle High girls basketball team.

Trying to regroup after having its run at a district championship cut short is, though.

The Lady ’Canes had their bid for a third consecutive WPIAL championship derailed last week in a 46-43 loss Section 2-AAA rival Ambridge.

Despite the loss, New Castle (21-4) secured its sixth straight berth in the PIAA playoffs and eighth in the past nine seasons. The Lady ’Canes will attempt to forget about that loss to the Lady Bridgers when they open the Class AAA state playoffs at 6 p.m. today at the Ne-Ca-Hi Field House against Perry Traditional Academy.

“I gave them quite a few days off, three days in a row,” second-year New Castle coach Jason Rankin said. “I felt like they needed to clear their minds. Some went to the WPIAL championship game and I was happy about that; they got a chance to see what they lost.

“I feel comfortable that we’re one of the better teams in the western part of the state. Now we have to go out and prove it.”

The Lady Commodores (10-13) are the second-place team out of the Pittsburgh City League in Class AAA. Perry Traditional Academy lost in the City League quarterfinals to Schenley on Feb. 25, 36-29.

The Lady ’Canes are the fourth-place team out of the WPIAL because of Blackhawk’s 63-49 win over Ambridge on Saturday in the district championship.

“Any time you have a disappointment in your life, it’s your choice to see how you take that and run with it,” Rankin said. “You can feel sorry for yourself because the goal you set out for is not reached, then you’re setting yourself up for failure next time.

“Or you can learn from it and then it becomes a valuable experience. We have to choose to go in a positive direction and learn from it.”

New Castle enters the state playoffs with a 5-2 mark against district champions. The Lady ’Canes topped WPIAL champions Shaler (AAAA) and section-rival Blackhawk (AAA), while losing to the district’s Class A winner (North Catholic) as well as the Lady Cougars in a section rematch. New Castle topped District 10 titlists Erie McDowell (AAAA) and Kennedy Catholic (A), while upending District 6 champion Hollidaysburg.

“I was shocked they lost in the WPIAL playoffs,” second-year Perry Traditional Academy coach Ed Allison said. “I didn’t expect to see them at this stage of the state playoffs.

“I know what they bring and they’re a very good team.”

New Castle is hosting a boys and girls doubleheader, with the ’Canes’ boys to follow at 7:30 p.m.

“This is a tremendous thing,” Rankin said of the playoff doubleheader. “It was an emotional night on senior night for the girls.

“They thought it was their last game in a New Castle uniform on this floor. It’s kind of nice, especially since the boys are playing after us. I’m hoping for a nice crowd because it will give us a lot of positive energy and a be a great sendoff for them.”

Marritta Gillcrease, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, paces the Lady Commodores with 12 points and 16 rebounds a game. Allison said she has committed to NCAA Division I Rider to continue her basketball career.

“She’s going to be a tough matchup for us,” Rankin said.

Said Allison, “She’s a strong kid with a great attitude.”

LaShauna Brothers, a 5-10 senior forward, leads the Lady ’Canes at 18.4 markers a game. She tallies a team-best 8.3 rebounds a game as well.

“She can score,” Allison said of Brothers. “She’s strong. We’re going to have to try to contain her and not let her go off.”

Christina Talbert, a 5-8 junior guard, has been nursing a knee injury sustained in the regular season finale against Butler. She returned to the starting lineup against Ambridge and is penciled in against Perry Traditional Academy as well.

Talbert is notching 16 points, 5.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds a contest.

“Talbert can handle the ball. She’s a solid player,” Allison said.

Ja’Nia McPhatter chips in 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists a tilt.

Tonight’s victor will battle St. Marys in the first round of the state playoffs at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Clarion University’s Tippin Gymnasium. The Lady Dutch (22-1) claimed the District 9 championship with a 53-37 verdict over Bradford.