The Union High basketball team clinched a playoff berth with a 62-45 WPIAL Section 1-A win over Beaver County Christian.

The Scotties, who advanced to the WPIAL Class A semifinals last season, are 5-2 in the conference and 10-6 overall. Beaver County is 1-7 and 2-10.

“It always feels good to get into the playoffs,” coach Dave Smialowski said. “I told the kids that we’ve extended our season now and that’s good, but we’re not just settling for that, let’s go for the section title.”

Union can take a step toward that Tuesday when it hosts Lincoln Park. The Leopards are 6-1 in league play, while Neshannock is 5-1. The Scotties lost to Lincoln Park 58-55 in overtime earlier in the season.

“If we can win out, we’ll have a share of the title,” Smialowski said. “We’ll have our hands full against Lincoln Park, that’s for sure, but they have to come here, so our students will be rocking, no doubt.”

Jason Burkes paced Union with 27 points, while Anthony Thomas added 14. Thomas handed out six assists and Matt Ault pulled down eight rebounds.

The Scotties will play the remainder of the season without center Matt Adamo, a 6-foot-6 senior starter who has been dismissed from the team by Smialowski. Adamo was averaging 6.9 points per game. Smialowski declined to elaborate on the reason for Adamo’s dismissal.