Thursday basketball rundown: Aliquippa girls edge Neshannock in overtime; RJ Sledge scores 35 to help Imani Christian remain unbeaten in section

A season ago, the Aliquippa girls finished as unbeaten section champions for the first time since 1993.

The Quips hoped to do it again this season, but their path was made more difficult when perennial power Neshannock joined its section.

Those teams met for the first time this season Thursday, and it was the Quips that worked overtime to pick up a huge win.

Aunesty Johnson and Carla Brown scored 21 points apiece to lead host Aliquippa to a 65-61 overtime win against Neshannock in an important Class 2A Section 1 game.

It was the 14th consecutive section win for Aliquippa (8-2, 2-0), which had not played Neshannock since falling to the Lancers by 30 points two seasons ago. Neshannock (9-2, 1-1) saw its five-game win streak come to an end. The Lancers reached the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals the past two seasons before dropping to Class 2A this season.

“It’s huge because like I’ve been telling the girls since we found out they were going to be in our section, ‘We’re going to have to go through them to get to where we want to get to as a program,’” Aliquippa coach Dwight Lindsey said. “Coach Luann [Grybowski], who I have so much respect for, she’s going to have them ready to play.”

Neshannock’s Ainsley Allison, right, goes after the ball after Aliquippa’s Jazmeir Cobb and Neshannock’s Nina Medure (10) collide during Thursday’s game at Aliquippa. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Neshannock rallied from five points down in the final minute of regulation to force overtime. Sophia Bonner made a floater with 16 seconds left to tie the game at 54. Aliquippa then outscored Neshannock, 11-7, in overtime.

“I think we just wore them down a little bit,” said Lindsey, who guided the Quips to a 22-5 record and the WPIAL semifinals last season.

Johnson, an all-section pick last season, and Brown both put forth terrific efforts for Aliquippa.

“We’re going to go as far as they can take us,” Lindsey said. “Aunesty was able to be aggressive and get to her sweet spots. Carla played under control. She’s our quarterback. She made a lot of free throws. She’s kind of the straw that stirs the drink.”

Jaidon Nogay and Ainsley Allison each scored 13 points to lead Neshannock, while Nina Medure added 12.

Other girls games

• Franklin Regional (6-5, 4-0) remained unbeaten in Class 5A Section 1 after a 40-36 win against visiting Fox Chapel (7-4, 2-1). Madison DeRiggi scored 22 points for Franklin Regional, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Natalia Shaffer led Fox Chapel with 17 points.

• Julia Antonacci scored a team-high 16 points and Indiana (9-2, 3-0) extended its win streak to three with a 50-42 win at Greensburg Salem (7-4, 1-3) in Class 5A Section 2. Stella Stossel added 12 points for the Little Indians, while Mya Heasley led the Golden Lions with 19 points.

• Haylie Lamonde scored 21 points and South Fayette (10-1, 4-0) used a big third quarter to topple visiting Moon (5-4, 1-2), 63-39, in Class 5A Section 3. South Fayette led, 25-19, at the half before outscoring Moon, 23-6, in the third quarter. Jaden Griggs led Moon with 22 points.

• North Catholic raced to a 30-point halftime lead and cruised to its eighth win in a row, 47-24, at Burrell (7-4, 2-2), in Class 4A Section 1. Brady Wehner (11 points) was the only player to score in double figures for the Trojanettes, who led, 34-4, at the half. Julianna Fisher and McKenna Miller each scored seven points for Burrell.

• Tyarah Woody pumped in a game-high 35 points to help Highlands (2-8, 1-3) rally for its first section win, 50-46, against visiting Derry (3-6, 1-3) in Class 4A Section 1. Highlands trailed, 25-16, at the half before outscoring Derry, 34-21, in the second half. Jane Huss paced Derry with 27 points.

• Blackhawk (10-2, 4-0) strengthened its grip atop Class 4A Section 2 courtesy of a 61-37 win against visiting Central Valley (5-3, 1-1). Aubree Hupp scored 18 points for Blackhawk, which held a 33-21 halftime advantage. Nyah Hayes led Central Valley with 13 points.

• South Side (7-4, 2-0) led by 17 points at the half and rolled to a 62-29 win at Burgettstown (4-7, 1-1) in Class 2A Section 2. Ashtyn Michael’s 22 points led a quartet of South Side players in double figures. Savanna Rush’s 12 points paced Burgettstown.

• Aquinas Academy (5-4, 3-1) delivered visiting St. Joseph (7-4, 3-1) its first section loss, 50-31, in Class 1A Section 1. Aquinas outscored St. Joseph, 30-14, in the second half. Tess Duer led three Aquinas players in double figures, while Bella Bartolovic scored 13 points to pace St. Joseph.

• Playing for the first time in 14 days, Clairton (6-2, 4-0) remained perfect in section play following a 52-43 win at Bishop Canevin (5-4, 1-3) in Class 1A Section 2. Iyanna Wade scored 27 points for Clairton and is averaging 40.7 on the season. Kya Cooley’s 17 points paced Canevin.

• Mallory Clemmer scored 19 points and Geibel Catholic (10-1, 3-1) rebounded from a two-point halftime deficit to defeat host Avella (6-5, 2-2), 54-49, in Class 1A Section 2. Ava Henderson chipped in 15 points for the Gators. Ava Frank scored 27 points for Avella.

Boys game

• RJ Sledge kept up his excellent play, pouring in a game-high 35 points to lead Imani Christian (6-2, 4-0) to a 72-68 win against visiting Hempfield (6-5, 1-3) in Class 6A Section 2. Deston Hubbard added 13 points for the Saints, who led by 10 points at the half. Drew Gordon’s 17 points paced Hempfield.

Three stars

*** — Taylor Schumacher, McGuffey. Schumacher scored a game-high 28 points and added six assists to lead McGuffey (7-3, 2-1) to a 57-55 win at Brownsville (5-4, 1-3) in Class 3A Section 3.

**— Bella Dumbroski, Serra Catholic. Dumbroski poured in 33 points to propel Serra Catholic (4-5, 3-1) to its third straight win, 72-15, at Mapletown (2-10, 0-4) in Class 1A Section 2.

* — Lynsey Bernotas, Baldwin. Bernotas tallied 23 points to lift Baldwin (5-6, 1-2) to its first win in Class 5A Section 4 courtesy of a 74-27 triumph at Albert Gallatin (4-5, 0-4).

Hot from deep

Players with 3 or more 3-pointers: Kayla Jones, Ellwood City, 4; Julia Antonacci, Indiana, 4; Isabel Chaparro, Riverview, 4; Madelyn Roberts, West Greene, 4; Kat DeVito, Hempfield, 3; Reagan Fisher, Hempfield, 3; Jaz Farnan, South Allegheny, 3; Ashley Seder, Southmoreland, 3.