By Joe Sager
New Castle News
 
Neshannock High’s girls basketball team finally broke through at the New Castle Tipoff Tournament.

And, the Lady Lancers did it in a big way.

Madison McHale scored 15 points yesterday as Neshannock posted a 61-16 win over Imani Christian.

It was the Lady Lancers’ first win at the New Castle High Field House in three seasons. The team went a combined 0-4 its past two trips to the tipoff tournament.

“It feels pretty good to come out and get a win,” McHale said. “This is our first win at this tipoff tournament, so it’s a good feeling. We had a lot of our freshmen and sophomores come in and contribute, so we had a lot of balance.”

Neshannock (1-0) meets New Castle (1-0), a 32-29 winner over Highlands, at 5:30 p.m. in today’s championship. The Lady Saints (0-1) play in the 1:30 p.m. consolation.

“It’s a big year for us,” McHale said. “We’re hoping to do big things.”

Against Imani Christian, eight different players scored for the Lady Lancers, who opened the game with a 16-0 run. Erin Warvell and Tayler Grybowski both had 10 points in the win, while Stephanie Paras finished with nine.

“That’s what we need. I’d rather see four people close to double figures than not,” Neshannock coach Luann Grybowski said. “I saw some good things, but we’re far from where we want to be. We’ll see. If we can continue to push the ball up the floor and play well defensively, we’ll be OK.”

Neshannock’s defense bothered the Lady Saints. Imani Christian turned the ball over 10 times in the first quarter and nine more times in the second. The Lady Lancers shut the Lady Saints out for the first 4:50 and used their transition game to take control.

“We did, but we turned it over a lot in transition,” Grybowski said. “We have to really take advantage of our opportunities. If they make us play a half-court game, we’re in trouble.”

Neshannock posted a 41-6 halftime lead and the game reached the 40-point mercy rule in the second half.

(Email: ncsports@ncnewsonline.com)