Annie Zopf scored 23 points to lead Pine-Richland (7-1, 3-0) to a 47-33 victory against visiting New Castle last night in a Class AAAA Section 3 showdown between highly-ranked girls' basketball teams.

Zopf scored 18 points in the second half as Pine-Richland, ranked No. 4 by the Post-Gazette, came back from an 18-14 halftime deficit.

Jaleesa Sams led third-ranked New Castle (6-2, 2-1) with 12 points. Pine-Richland has won four consecutive games.

Other top games

John Heller, Post-Gazette Ambridge's Kira Brown drives around Montour's Jordan Burkes in action last night. Montour won the game, 63-49. Click photo for larger image.

Seneca Valley (5-4, 3-0) remained in the Class AAAA Section 3 race with a 43-28 win at North Hills (3-6, 0-3). Ashley Turici led the Raiders with 21 points. Seneca Valley led, 10-0, at the end of the first quarter.

Hampton (6-2, 2-0) topped Knoch (5-2, 2-1) in Class AAA Section 1, 39-33. Maria Milfeit led the host Talbots with 17 points.

Class AAAA No. 5 Gateway (8-0, 3-0) routed host Plum (2-5, 1-2) in Section 2, 72-34. Jamie Smith scored 20 points to spark the Gators.

Class AAA No. 1 North Catholic (7-1, 2-1) rebounded from its first loss of the season with an easy 70-23 victory against visiting Burrell (1-7, 0-3) in Section 1. Rachel Frederick and April Austin led the Trojans with 18 points apiece.

Class AAAA No. 2 Bethel Park (7-0, 3-0) continued its impressive run with a 43-28 triumph at Peters Township (3-5, 0-3) in Section 3. Katie Kendall was the top scorer for Bethel Park with 14 points.

Haley Gaidosh finished with 28 points, leading No. 3 Montour (6-0, 2-0) to a 63-49 home victory against Ambridge (4-3, 0-2) in Class AAA Section 2.

Class AA No. 5 Apollo-Ridge (8-0, 3-0) remained unbeaten with a 61-53 victory at Ford City (6-3, 2-1) in Section 1. Lauren Reilly's 24-point effort led Apollo-Ridge. Lizzie Suwala led Ford City with 22. Suwala was 11 for 11 from the free-throw line and Ford City went 16 for 17 from the line as a team.

Mt. Lebanon and Trinity played a wild game with the teams combining for 63 points in three overtimes. The Blue Devils (8-0, 3-0) prevailed, 83-80, at Trinity in Class AAA Section 4. The score was 50-50 at the end of regulation. Mt. Lebanon outscored Trinity, 33-30, in overtime. Trinity (4-3, 1-2) was led by Lauren Brake's 28 points. Christine Briercheck added 11 points for the Hillers, scoring all her points in overtime. Mt. Lebanon had a pair of double-figure scorers with Mallory Chicone finishing with 28 points and Lindsay Whipkey scoring 20.

Class A No. 1 Serra (7-0, 1-0) won its Section 3 opener at No. 2 Monessen (5-2, 0-1), 66-63. Brittany Matta led Serra with 22 points. Perrial Pearson countered for Monessen with 28 points.

Top performances

Taylor Johns scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Laurel Highlands (2-7, 1-2) to a 62-55 home victory against Yough (2-7, 1-2) in Class AAA Section 3. Johns was 9 for 11 from the free-throw line.

North Allegheny (3-3, 1-1) claimed a 46-35 victory at Shaler (3-4, 0-3) in Class AAAA Section 3. Rachel Deosevic led the Tigers with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Melissa McQuaid scored 17 for the Titans.

Bridget Walker's 18 points, 13 rebounds and 5 steals led Duquesne (3-4, 1-0) to a 56-22 triumph against visiting Trinity Christian (4-4, 0-1) in Class A Section 3. Christina Thomas added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Dukes.

McKeesport (2-5, 0-3) lost, 64-62, to host Penn Hills (5-3, 1-2) despite 38 points from Amy Johns. Taja Wilson led Penn Hills with 22 points.

Upset

Greensburg Salem (5-3, 1-1) won its first game in Class AAAA Section 1 by defeating previously unbeaten Penn-Trafford (7-1, 2-1), 59-43. Annie Olesky led host Greensburg Salem with 17 points.

Hot shots

Players with four or more 3-pointers: Britanni Schock, Mapletown, 5; Kaitlin Baradiej, Jeannette, 4; Stefanie Yarzebinski, Freedom, 4.