Pine-Richland handed the New Castle girls' basketball team, ranked No. 4 in WPIAL Class AAAA by the Post-Gazette, its first loss of the season last night, 57-52.

	Mars' Alina Hudac, left, and Highlands' Kristen Garrett fight for a loose ball last night in Mars' 77-42 victory. (Matt Freed, Post-Gazette)

The host Rams (4-1, 1-0) were led by Annie Zopf with 18 points and Kylie Miller with 17.

Jalessa Sams was the high scorer for New Castle (6-1, 1-1) with 22 points. Zopf was 7 for 9 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

Top girls' games

Fourth-ranked Sewickley Academy (4-0, 2-0) claimed a 41-26 victory at Western Beaver (1-4, 0-2) in Class A Section 1. Jess DeFranco led Sewickley Academy with 18 points, scoring 15 in the second half.

A 39-point performance by Lizzie Suwala, the top scorer in the WPIAL, wasn't enough against Greensburg Central Catholic (4-1, 2-0). The Lady Centurions, ranked No. 1 in Class AA, defeated Ford City (4-3, 1-1), 74-69, in Section 1. Maggie Gibson paced Greensburg Central Catholic with 25 points. Suwala is averaging 34 points a game.

Serra, ranked No. 1 in Class A, was an impressive 65-38 winner at No. 3 Mount Alvernia (2-3, 0-1) in Section 4. Michelle Manfredi scored 18 points for Serra (5-1, 2-0). The Eagles forced Mount Alvernia into 31 turnovers while only committing seven.

Avella made 17 of 18 free throws en route to a 52-39 win against Geibel (2-3, 1-1) in Class A Section 2. Sarah Gossett paced No. 5 Avella (6-2, 2-0) with 21 points.

Oakland Catholic, ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA, won its showdown for first place with McKeesport (4-2, 1-1) in Section 4, 58-50. Eve Pyle's 19 points led Oakland Catholic (5-1, 2-0). Amy Johns led McKeesport with 22 points. Oakland Catholic held a 27-26 halftime lead.

Stars of the day

Ashley Bean scored 28 points, leading fourth-ranked Mars (5-1, 1-0) to a 77-42 rout of Highlands (1-5, 0-2) in Class AAA Section 1. Taryn Adamski added 16 points for the Planets.

Samantha Woznichak's basket at the buzzer provided Montour (5-0, 2-0) with a 44-43 victory against Upper St. Clair (4-3, 0-2) in Class AAAA Section 5. Woznichak finished with 20 points. Courtney Pawlak led Upper St. Clair with 20 points.

Chelsea Eckert's 16 points and 13 rebounds led Charleroi (2-6, 2-0) to a 41-37 win against Burgettstown (2-5, 0-2) in Class AA Section 5. Sally Schilinski led Burgettstown with 18.

Top boys' games

Hampton (4-2, 1-1) pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat Kittanning (4-1, 1-1), 69-56, in Class AAA Section 1. The Talbots outscored the Wildcats, 22-14, in the fourth quarter. Brian Dandrea and John Ward scored 14 points apiece for Hampton. Sean Crissman paced Kittanning with 16. Hampton made 17 of 22 free throws.

No. 2 Aliquippa (3-2, 2-0) routed New Brighton (3-2, 1-1), 67-31, in Class AA Section 6. Darrelle Revis scored 14 points for the Quips.

No. 3 Jeannette (6-0, 2-0) was a convincing 80-43 winner against Elderton (1-4, 0-2) in Class AA Section 1. Dan Binda scored 20 points for Jeannette.

Girls' hot shots

Players with three or more 3-pointers: Samantha Woznichak, Montour, 6; Tammy Pendland, Beth-Center, 4; Jessica Egbert, Neshannock, 4; Nicole Presto, Thomas Jefferson, 3; Lindsey Kuruc, Kiski Area, 3; Emily Pennington, Geibel, 3; Jordan Zuppe, Hopewell, 3; Ashley Yaworsky, Ambridge, 3; Samantha Loadman, Bethel Park, 3; Autumn Himes, Penn-Trafford, 3; Julie Utz, Mars, 3; Abby Bodenlos, Shady Side Academy, 3; Kayla Ashton, Laurel Highlands, 3; Jemma Devlin, Bishop Canevin, 3.

Boys' hot shots

Players with three or more 3-pointers: Ryan Burns, Kittanning, 4; Ryan DeMary, Derry, 4; Dewey Schmidt, Derry, 4; Robert Rohanna, Waynesburg, 4; Don Binda, Jeannette, 4; Dan Saftner, Fort Cherry, 3; Charlie Robinson, Cheswick Christian, 3.