By Andrew Koob
New Castle News

AMBRIDGE — The Neshannock High boys basketball team was due for an off
night.

It finally came last night in a 70-43 loss to Lincoln Park at in the WPIAL Class AA PIAA play-in bracket at Ambridge High. It was a game that only affected seeding for the state tournament.

The loss marked the Lancers’ third game in four days. They went 1-2 with a win over Bishop Canevin on Tuesday to lock up a spot in the state playoffs, which start March 7.

According to Neshannock coach John Corey, it may have been been a contributing factor in the less-than-stellar effort put forth in last night’s loss.

“It’s something I talked to the kids about. I thought the kids played hard the last two games but, regardless, you put the uniform on and you should be ready to go,” Corey said. “Our effort across the board was below the standard, especially for the way we’ve been playing. We had a good opportunity to beat a good Lincoln Park team. I thought we could have played with more energy, played with more efficiency.”

Neshannock (17-8) went back-and-forth with the Leopards in the first half, with Lincoln Park taking a six-point lead into the half.

Things went downhill quickly for the Lancers, who found themselves on the wrong end of a 16-2 run that had them trailing by 17 heading into the final eight minutes of play.

The Leopards outscored Neshannock 22-12 in the final period, with both teams sending in the backups to end the game.

Lincoln Park (23-3) had three players hit double-digit point marks, with Antonio Kellem tallying a game-high 20 points. Ellwood City Lincoln transfer Nick Aloi followed with 17 points and Chance Tomassetti totaled 10.

Jimmy Medure was the only Neshannock player to hit double figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

“They almost had five guys in double figures and we had one,” Corey said. “When you’re having trouble scoring, that can carry over to your defense and it absolutely did it for us tonight. We shot horrendous and that lack of productivity on the offensive end carried over. We played 12 guys for a majority of the game, it just seemed some of us didn’t have it tonight.”

The poor showing comes before Neshannock’s second appearance in as many years in the PIAA playoffs. With just over a week until their scheduled game, the Lancers will make sure that they correct last night’s mistakes.

“If not, it’ll be one-and-done in the state playoffs,” Corey said of correcting last night’s faults. “I don’t think that’s the type of team that we have. I think we definitely have the individuals to make a run. We have to be efficient on offense. Defensively, we’ve had games and spurts this season that we’ve played tremendous on defense. I thought we played good Tuesday, and Monday against a good Greensburg Central Catholic team. We just have to get back in the gym, watch the film and learn from it.”

With the loss, the Lancers receive the sixth and final state bid for the Class AA state playoffs and will face the District 6 champion. Their opponent, either Blairsville or West Branch, will be determined in the District 6 championship to be played at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Saint Francis University.

It may be a blessing in disguise; Lincoln Park will play either Fairview or West Middlesex, to be determined 7 p.m. today at the District 10 championship at Slippery Rock University. West Middlesex knocked the Lancers out of the first round of the state playoffs in a 76-66 decision last year.

“Obviously, the goal is to win a state championship at this point,” Corey said. “There’s no point in getting into the state playoffs if that isn’t the goal. We just have to become more efficient on both ends of the floor and I trust that we will.”

(Email: A_Koob@ncnewsonline.com)