| Record 7-5 overall 1-3 Section |
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Past Editions
Midland Tourney Pine-Richland Blackhawk Christmas Tournament North Hills Butler Penn Hills Seneca Valley Mt. Lebanon Pine-Richland North Allegheny Aliquippa Shaler North Hills Butler |
Canes erase Ellwood City
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Twenty-four turnovers, 39% from the field, 27% from three point land, all statistics that sound like a recipe for a loss. But not tonight as the Red Hurricanes overcame a dreadful three minutes in the second quarter where they had the ball stolen six times, turned it over on their own twice, missed six shots and watched at 17 point lead disappear to trail 25-23 before the Ellwood City Wolverines’ onslaught waned. The Wolverines Head Coach Bob Kerr and Assistant Jason Rankin both former Red Hurricanes assistants stole a page out of New Castle's book and ran the full court pressure trap to perfection. The Hurricanes, who had jumped out to leads of 16-4 after one period and 23-6 before the near fatal collapse, regrouped and regained the lead after two quarters 28-27. The Canes never lost the lead again but outscored the Wolverines just 32-29 the rest of the way to gain a 60-56 victory in the second round of the Blackhawk Christmas Tournament. The win however was never a sure thing though as Ellwood fought back from a 13 point deficit in the third quarter to get within four points with just 4:17 to play in the game. Just 17 seconds later what may be a pivotal point in the Canes’ season occurred. At the 4:00 mark Devin Taylor the Canes’ leading scorer on the season and in the game with 24 points fouled out with New Castle leading by just four 50-46. The Red Hurricanes responded though with Brian Bober and Chris Cain rebounding and scoring to keep the Canes afloat. After the teams exchanged misses Bober made a move inside and scored at the 2:52 mark putting the Canes back up by six, 52-46. Following two free throws by the Wolverines, Bober scored again, and this time on a put-back to keep the lead at six with 2:31 to play. Ellwood hit a ‘two’ at 2:13 then stole the ball from the Canes. Fortunately the Wolverines turned it right back over to New Castle. After a time-out Ellwood ran a half court trap and caused yet another Hurricanes turnover. The Wolverines scored and were fouled. They made the free throw and at 1:19 the Canes’ lead was just one, 54-53. Donovon Jones was fouled at 1:12 and went to the line to shoot two. He missed them both but Cain grabbed the rebound and he was fouled. Cain made both free throws upping the Hurricanes’ lead to three, 56-53. After another miss by Ellwood, Mike Malley was fouled. Malley missed the front of his one-and-one but Cain tipped the rebound to David Richards who was fouled. Richards made the front end on his one-and-one putting the Canes ahead 57-53 with 43 seconds left. Ellwood grabbed Richards’ rebound but Richards stole the ball. The Wolverines stole the ball right back and made a ‘three’ at the 22 second mark to get back to within three, 57-56. With 20 seconds to play Richards was fouled, going to the line for two shots. He made the second putting the lead back to two points. Following a Wolverines time out they misfired on a ‘three’ and Cain grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Stepping to the line with just five seconds to play Cain drained both shots giving the Canes a four point lead and the victory.
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2003/04 Schedule Section Standings
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