It may only be mid-December. Yet, for two of the top local girls basketball programs, it felt as though so much more was at stake.

Neshannock and Mohawk high schools, arguably the top two teams in WPIAL Section 1-AA, collided as the Lady Lancers came into Mohawk's gym and secured a 45-38 victory Thursday night.

"It was amazing. Going in, you're not sure how young kids will play," Neshannock coach Luann Grybowski said. "It was close in the first half, we came out in the second half and played great team-wise. Different kids stepped up on defense, we rebounded well in the second half and we had three kids in double figures."

Neshannock (2-0 section, 5-1 overall) was led by Carmie Matarazzo, who posted team-highs with 15 points and eight rebounds. Aidan Noga and Stephanie Paras followed with 11 points each, with Noga adding five steals in the second half.

Mohawk (2-1, 5-1) played without leading scorer Aliya Gage for most of the second quarter after she rolled her ankle, yet she came back to be a dominant force in the second half, scoring 14 of her game-high 19 points in the final 16 minutes.

Gage's slight absence, foul trouble and a 7-of-22 performance from the free throw line ultimately spelled the Lady Warriors' doom.

"We were basically out there without four starters, but the kids that went in played hard and well, we just couldn't score," Mohawk coach Mike O'Lare said. "Between free throws and losing her for a quarter, that might have been the difference."

The two teams, which split the section title last season, struggled to get their offense going, as Neshannock held a 17-15 lead at the half. The Lady Lancers outscored Mohawk 28-23 in the second half.