Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Mt. Lebanon's Jackie Babe puts a shot up against Pine-Richland's Emma Richert in the opening round of the girls' WPIAL playoffs last night at North Hills High School. Pine-Richland defeated Mt. Lebanon, 55-49. Click photo for larger image.

She has been touted as perhaps the top player in the WPIAL this season.

New Castle senior Jaleesa Sams definitely lived up to the billing last night.

Paced by 30 points and 15 rebounds from Sams, New Castle (24-1) rolled to a 63-37 win against Woodland Hills (11-14) in the opening round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs at North Allegheny.

Sams went 9 for 18 from the field and 11 for 12 from the free-throw line.

The Wolverines were annihilated on the boards, as New Castle grabbed a 58-25 rebounding advantage.

Jamie Smith led Woodland Hills with 18 points.

More Class AAAA

Pine-Richland 55, Mt. Lebanon 49: Tricia Adamczyk scored 15 points -- on five 3-pointers -- to pace the Rams (14-11) in a win against Mt. Lebanon (16-9) at North Hills. Adamczyk was 5 for 6 from 3-point range. Katie Wise added 12 points for the Rams. Jackie Babe and Emily Miller scored 11 apiece for the Blue Devils.

Upper St. Clair 68, Gateway 51: Alex Gensler had 21 points and Andrea Pion added 19 to push Upper St. Clair (21-4) to a victory against Gateway (13-12) at Penn-Trafford. Shayla Scott, a Pitt recruit, scored 29 in a losing effort for the Gators.

Class AAA

Moon 36, Hampton 33: At Fox Chapel, Moon (20-5) used two late free throws from Gracie Palucis to fend off Hampton (12-13). Becca Pollack led Moon with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jodie Luther paced the Talbots with 13 points.

Class AA

Wilkinsburg 58, Apollo-Ridge 43: Led by 30 points from Jaquaylla Kessler, Wilkinsburg (16-8) rolled to a win at Yough against Apollo-Ridge (11-12).

Beaver Falls 51, Bentworth 36: Using a 42-16 rebounding advantage, Beaver Falls (12-12) defeated Bentworth (18-7) at Aliquippa. Melissa Taylor led Beaver Falls with 10 points and Amanda Kennedy scored 10 for Bentworth.

Riverside 57, Freedom 49: With three scorers in double-figures, Riverside (20-4) was able to get past Freedom (11-12) at Butler. Brooke Mulneix scored 15 points to lead the Panthers. Brittney Mulneix added 13 points and Samantha Perkins 10. Jenn Cantella had a solid effort in the loss for Freedom, scoring 16 points.

Sto-Rox 63, New Brighton 30: Nicole Thornhill netted 14 points and Jess Buranovsky had 12 to propel Sto-Rox (16-7) to the easy win against New Brighton (14-9) at West Allegheny.

South Park 62, Beth-Center 31: The Eagles (16-9) flew past Beth-Center (13-12) at Belle Vernon. Brittany Pfaff scored 20 points to lead South Park and Laurel Lindsay chipped in with 12. Megan Sowers led Beth-Center with 14.

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Pine-Richland teammates celebrate their victory against Mt. Lebanon in the Class AAAA playoffs last night. Tricia Adamczyk hit five 3-pointers to spark the win. Click photo for larger image.

Neshannock 48, Quaker Valley 44: Kacey Gibson scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, to help Neshannock (15-10) to a win against Quaker Valley (14-10) at Highlands. Kate Clancy had a team-high 18 points for Quaker Valley. Neshannock did a fine defensive job on Quakers' standout Christa Rogers, who was held to six points.

East Allegheny 61, Riverview 30: Springing to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter, East Allegheny (15-10) never looked back and rolled to a win against Riverview (10-15) at Valley. Jessica Bartges scored 17 points for the Wildcats, with 15 of those coming in the first half. Lauren Kukic scored 15 points and added eight rebounds in the victory for East Allegheny. Caty Kumar scored a team-high 14 points for the Raiders and Erin Wallace added 13 in a losing effort.

Class A

Serra 73, Monaca 31: Jumping out a 42-15 halftime lead, Serra (21-4) slammed Monaca (8-15) at Thomas Jefferson. Amanda Szanca led the Eagles with 14 points while Bria Gwosden and Jade Stewart each had 12.

Quigley 48, Duquesne 44: At South Fayette, the Spartans (18-6) earned a hard-fought victory against Duquesne (11-13).