The Shenango High girls basketball team has jump-started its defensive effort.

Less than a week after holding Neshannock to 39 points, the Lady Wildcats silenced host Mohawk in a key 42-41 Section 1-AA victory.

“It was a huge win,” Shenango coach Brian Turk said. “We just know that we get some wins here or we can’t get a chance to get into the playoffs. It’s that time of the year where you circle around opponents for the second time. Any one of the top six teams in this section can make the playoffs. We were fortunate enough to do that against Mohawk.”

Angelina Sibeto sealed the victory, hitting the front end of a one-and-one with four seconds remaining. Sibeto missed the second, but corralled the rebound and avoided another foul until the final whistle.

“Great court sense,” Turk said. “The whole bench screaming ‘hold it’ helped, too.”

Samantha Seaburn led Shenango (3-3 section, 7-5 overall) with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Carolyn Peterson followed with 11 points.

Samantha Carr paced the Lady Warriors (4-2, 10-3) with 18 points, but Turk credited Sibeto and Ashleigh Presnar for their defensive help, despite an impressive showing from Carr.

“I thought this was the best Carr shot all year long, Turk said. “I thought Ashleigh Presnar and Angelina Sibeto did a good job of defending her, but Mohawk had some great screens and she got some open looks.”

Mohawk was held to just eight points in the second and third quarters combined.

“I have to give Shenango credit, I think they outplayed us every which way,” Mohawk coach Mike O’Lare said. “They were more aggressive. We didn’t play Mohawk basketball in my opinion. It was uninspired, unmotivated, but the mistakes we made were forced by Shenango.”