Hampton has only lost twice this season in boys' basketball.

Unfortunately, for the Talbots, both defeats have occurred against Class AAA Section 1 rival Highlands.

The WPIAL No. 2-ranked Rams (21-1, 10-1) won a showdown for first place by defeating visiting Hampton (21-2, 10-2) last night, 73-67.

Highlands had four players in double figures. Damon Porter led the way with 20 and Reece Mabery added 19.

Asa Braxton led No. 3 Hampton with 19 and Corey McGinnis contributed 18.

Hampton was 15 for 16 from the free-throw line.

Highlands converted 18 of 23 from the line and made nine 3-point shots. Mabery accounted for five of them.

Hampton's eight-game winning streak was snapped.

Other top games

Dan Wirkowski's layup with three seconds left clinched Shaler's 47-43 victory against Seneca Valley (12-10, 4-8) in Class AAAA Section 3. Wirkowski led the Titans (16-7, 7-4) with 22 points, including nine points in the fourth quarter when Shaler rallied from a 38-35 deficit.

With both teams battling for playoff spots, Burgettstown (14-8, 8-5) won, 52-49, in double-overtime at Charleroi (12-10, 7-6) in Class AA Section 6. The loss dropped Charleroi into fifth place with one section game left. Derek Goetz led Burgettstown with 18 points. John Bristol led Charleroi with 16.

Top girls' games

Kara Hochevar went 10 for 10 at the free-throw line in overtime to lead Ambridge (14-8, 7-6) to a 63-50 victory against visiting West Allegheny (10-11, 4-8) in Class AAA Section 2. The score was 46-46 at the end of regulation. Hochevar finished with 22 points as the Bridgers clinched a playoff berth.

Playoff-bound Indiana (15-7, 10-3) avoided an upset at last-place Valley (4-18, 1-12), winning 66-57. Indiana went on a 10-1 run to end the Class AAA Section 1 contest. Rachel Hurley led Indiana with 23 points.

Milestones

Chris McVicker's 16-point effort led Class A Section 2 champion California (20-2, 9-0) to a 52-34 victory at Jefferson-Morgan (5-17, 3-6). McVicker has reached 1,004 career points.

Brandon Bradley of South Park (5-16, 4-12) now has 1,004 career points after netting 25 in a 57-43 loss at Chartiers Valley (18-4, 14-1) in Class AAA Section 4. Mike Sherry led the Colts with 23 points, scoring 17 in the second half.

Boys' hot shots

Players with five or more 3-pointers: Josh Gumbert, Blackhawk, 6; Seth Eisner, Fox Chapel, 5; Nick Madia, Pine-Richland, 5; Mike Sherry, Chartiers Valley, 5; Asa Braxton, Hampton, 5; Reece Mabery, Highlands, 5.

Girls' hot shots

Players with four or more 3-pointers: Tiffany Bradley, Charleroi, 5; Haley Geyer, Mars, 4.