By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

Big games are nothing new to the New Castle and Hampton high school boys basketball teams.

Tonight will be no different.

The teams are set to clash for the first of two scheduled meetings this season between the WPIAL Section 3-AAAA rivals at 7:30 p.m. on the Talbots’ home floor. The game is sold out.

The second meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Ne-Ca-Hi Field House.

“We love big games,” said New Castle senior guard/forward Malik Hooker. “Both teams will be up for it.”

New Castle (6-0 section, 11-0 overall) is the two-time defending WPIAL champion. The ’Canes own a 33-game section winning streak, while claiming 67 of their last 69 matchups overall. They’re riding a 53-game regular-season winning streak.

New Castle is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL in Class AAAA by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and No. 3 in the state by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg. Hampton (6-0, 13-0), which is coached by former Westminster College standout Joe Lafko, is ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL in Class AAAA and No. 2 in the state.

Hampton’s Ryan Luther, a Pitt recruit, missed the last two games with a sprained ankle but is expected to be ready for tonight’s encounter.

“They have a couple of great players and we’ve built a great rivalry with them,” said ’Canes coach Ralph Blundo.

New Castle topped Hampton three times last year — 75-54 at home, 54-50 on the road and 68-53 in the WPIAL championship game. The regular season games were both in section play.

In the 2011-2012 campaign, New Castle won the lone meeting in the regular season, 78-61 in nonsection play when the teams competed in Class AAA. The squads met for the WPIAL crown that year, and the ’Canes prevailed, 57-44.

The Talbots will be looking for their first win over New Castle since a 53-46 home verdict on Dec. 14, 2010.

“They’re a great team with a great coach,” said ’Canes senior guard Anthony Richards. “We’re going to go down there and give it the best shot we can.”

Tonight’s winner will claim sole possession of first place in the section and the loser will be a game back. North Allegheny (4-2, 10-2) is in third place in the league. New Castle and Hampton (62-61, OT) scored wins over the Tigers last week.

New Castle’s last loss in the regular season was a 58-54 Section 2-AAA decision at Blackhawk.