There’s never a dull moment when New Castle and Hopewell play each other.

The WPIAL Section 2-AAA foes met for the first time since last year’s WPIAL Class AAA championship game, and the Lady ’Canes again beat Hopewell, this time registering a 50-47 victory.

New Castle (3-0 section, 6-2 overall) trailed by two entering the fourth quarter, but solid defense against Lady Vikings standout Shatori Walker-Kimbrough allowed the Lady ’Canes to outscore Hopewell, 11-6.

“Every time we play it’s a great game,” New Castle coach Jason Rankin said. “This one was, too. Walker(-Kimbrough) played tremendous. She did all the things we told the girls not to let her do. She rebounded and went coast to coast. We were able to slow her down in the fourth. There was probably a little fatigue involved. But you’re always in the game with her.”

The Lady ’Canes led, 46-45, with about a minute remaining and missed a free throw, but LaShaunna Brothers grabbed the rebound and scored. Ja’Nia McPhatter then stepped in front of a Hopewell pass for a steal on the ensuing possession, but New Castle traveled with 2.5 seconds left. The Lady ’Canes’ defense played well again, and Hopewell (2-2, 5-5) wasn’t able to get a shot off as time expired.

“I think we had a little bit of a hangover from Monday,” Rankin said. “The kids worked hard to beat Blackhawk on the road and I think they looked past (Hopewell). But you have to win in different ways. Somebody’s got to step up and I really like the way Delvona Dennis has played in the last few games. She played well around the basket and did a great job for us.”

Christina Talbert led New Castle with 19 points, while Brothers netted 18. Dennis corralled a team-high six rebounds to go along with seven points. Walker-Kimbrough provided 18 markers for the Lady Vikings.

New Castle is now in first place in Section 2-AAA by a half-game over Ambridge. The two meet at the Lady Bridgers’ court Jan. 17.