Usually Oakland Catholic nets 8 points in a good two to three minute run. However the Eagles offense was grounded Saturday afternoon at Duquesne University by the gale force of the Red Hurricanes. New Castle won it’s first ever girls WPIAL AAAA title with a hard fought 36-32 win.

While the ‘Canes hoisted gold for the first time, the Eagles were forced to settle for silver in the WPIAL for a second straight year thanks to a tenacious New Castle defense.

Oakland Catholic was held to only 8 points in the entire first half.

“That was a coup,” Red Hurricanes coach LuAnn Grybowski said with a sigh of relief. “Holding them to only 8 points in the first half was amazing.”

New Castle jumped out to a 12-3 lead after the first quarter and 16-8 at the half.

The Canes kept the pressure coming in the third quarter, and carried a 25-17 lead into the final quarter.

But the top seed Eagles came to life early in the fourth. Down 27-17, the Eagles went on a 10-2 run to pull within 2 with 3:00 minutes remaining thanks in part to a pair of 3 pointers by Sarah Bucar.

“Bucar came up big late,” Grybowski said. “It wasn’t easy but we were able to weather the storm.”

However 4 straight missed shots, including three blown lay-ups in the next 1:50 kept New Castle in front. The ‘Canes then hit 7 of 10 free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

“We were like ice on the line,” said Grybowski. “We hit the free throws we needed late.”

Maria Joseph was 3 of 4, Jalessa Sams was 3 of 4 and Ashley Wise was 1 of 2.

For the game, New Castle, now 24-4 was led by Wise and Natalie Wallace with 9 points each. Joseph had 8 while Sams chipped in 7.

Bucar led the Eagles with 13 points, 11 of them coming in the final quarter. Eve Pyle was held to only 8 points. “We were determined, she was not going to get the ball inside,” said Grybowski.

Oakland Catholic drops to 23-5 and will open up the PIAA state playoffs on Friday against Laurel Highlands.

New Castle on Friday takes on neighboring rival Butler in round one of the PIAA playoffs.