By Ron Poniewasz Jr.
New Castle News

The Shenango High boys basketball team got a signature win last night.

The Wildcats had three scorers reach double figures in a 59-53 WPIAL Section 2-AA upset home win over Summit Academy.

Shenango (6-3 section, 11-6 overall) snapped a four-game losing streak to the Knights. More importantly, the Wildcats climb to second place in the section, just a half-game ahead of Riverside (5-3, 10-8). The Panthers lost to Neshannock (5-4, 10-7), 51-36.

Summit Academy (8-1, 12-4) is in first place in the section. The Knights are ranked No. 5 in the WPIAL in Class AA by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“This was a huge win for our guys,” Shenango coach Bob McQuiston said. “We’re still battling to get in the playoffs. But this was huge.

“We always say you have to win your home games. The guys stepped up and played their hearts out and followed their game plan to a T.”

Jordan O’Hara led Shenango with 18 points, including nine in the second quarter. Brett Chieze was next with 16 points and three assists. Nine of Chieze’s points came in the first quarter.

Jeff Williams was next with 15 markers and 10 rebounds for the winners.

Chieze, a guard, didn’t turn the ball over at all and the Wildcats committed just 11 as a team.

“We took good care of the ball,” McQuiston said. “Chieze is our primary ball handler and for him not to have any turnovers is huge.”

Shenango put the game away at the foul line in the fourth quarter, going 6 for 6. O’Hara drained two charity tosses with 15 seconds left to put the Wildcats up 57-53.

“We have to come back (today) and continue to work hard,” McQuiston said. “I know the guys will be juiced.

“Games like this will build momentum for you.”

Elijah Minnie tallied 17 points for Summit Academy, which had its 11-game winning streak snapped.

“Our goal was to not let them penetrate and limit their second chances,” McQuiston said. “We wanted to keep the game to our pace. You don’t want to get in a track meet with them.”