WPIAL GIRLS New Castle drops first contest to Butler 55-49

The Tornadoes needed overtime to snap the Red Hurricanes' win streak.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- In each of the first 15 games of the season, the New Castle High girls basketball team answered the bell with a win.
However, that changed Friday night at the NeCaHi Field House, as the Hurricanes dropped a 55-49 overtime verdict to archrival Butler.
"I was OK with our having to go to overtime," said Butler coach Jonna Burke. "You are on a very good, undefeated team's floor and it was apparent they weren't going down without a fight. They gave us a tremendous battle and they weren't going down easy, regardless of how many seconds were left. I have to give them a lot of credit for fighting back like they did."
Down 24-22 at halftime, Butler threatened to put the game away in the third period as they outscored the 'Canes 15-5.
Late rally forces overtime
However, despite trailing by five points with less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation, New Castle got a 3-point goal from Liz Shelar and a 2-pointer from Jaleah Robinson to send the game to overtime. Robinson led the Hurricanes with 15 points.
"These kids are young, but one thing is certain, they don't quit," said New Castle coach Luann Grybowski. "We were down by 10 and were able to come back and that says a lot for these kids.
"They are sophomores and the 15-game run was a lot of fun, but this doesn't mean the world is coming to an end. We have a long road to go, they are young and I am sure they will keep fighting."
Heading into the overtime period, Burke felt it was crucial for her team to ahead early. "It was like a new game again and we are fortunate that we were able to score the first few points," said Burke. "Usually the team that does that wins the game."
Foul shooting pays off
The Tornadoes made 8-of-10 free throws in overtime.
"That is the importance of foul shooting because if we don't make those, we lose the game," said Burke. "Had we made the foul shots earlier, we could have sealed the game in regulation. We had the right kids going to the line and after having a lot of problems early, they stepped up and made them later."
Only four Butler players scored, but all four were in double figures, led by Kelly Miller (18) and Maura Connelly (14).
Both coaches felt the scoring by Butler's backcourt was a key.
"We thought they would try and take Kim [Nowakowski] away in the inside and they did a good job of that," said Burke.