John Heller, Post-Gazette Allderdice's Mattie Collins-Wood gets her hand on the ball as she fouls Upper St. Clair's Meghan McLean in the second half of their PIAA playoff game last night. Click photo for larger image.

Call it a Titanic surprise.

The Shaler Titans pulled a stunner, upsetting Oakland Catholic, 44-36, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA girls' playoffs last night at North Allegheny.

Oakland Catholic was a PIAA semifinalist last year and has won four PIAA titles. On top of that, the Eagles hadn't lost an opening-round PIAA game since 1992, winning 14 in a row in that span. But Shaler coach Eric Mozzetti said the win wasn't that big of a deal.

"No bigger than some of the teams we beat in our section," Mozzetti said. "The section we play in [AAAA Section 3] has games like this night-in and night-out. What it does is prepare you for games like this."

Melissa McQuade led Shaler (17-10) with 15 points, while Erica Prosser scored 13 for Oakland Catholic (21-8).

Other Class AAAA

New Castle 72, Norwin 52: Jaleesa Sams did it all for WPIAL champ New Castle, lifting the Hurricanes to a win against Norwin at Butler. The senior guard finished with 23 points, 20 rebounds and 8 steals. New Castle (28-1) was bolstered by 12 3-pointers, including six in the third quarter. Kayla Hilko paced Norwin (20-8) with 17 points.

Bethel Park 57, State College 49: Katie Kendall made six 3-pointers and scored 26 points, helping Bethel Park (24-4) to the win against State College (19-9) at Hollidaysburg.

Upper St. Clair 55, Allderdice 54: Andrea Pion hit the winning free throw with 3.5 seconds left, helping the Panthers (23-5) sneak past City League runner-up Allderdice (22-6) at Brashear.

Class AA

Greensburg Central Catholic 69, Curwensville 39: Eleven players scored for Greensburg Central Catholic (22-6), as the WPIAL champs rolled past Curwensville (21-8) at Hempfield. Ashley Henderson led the Centurions with 17 points, including 10 in the first quarter.

Conemaugh Township 53, Bishop Canevin 52: At Pitt-Johnstown, the Crusaders (21-8) lost a heartbreaker to District 5 champion Conemaugh Township (27-1). With the score, 52-52, Bishop Canevin was called for a foul as time expired, and the Indians' Meg Mauer connected on the winning free throw. Megan Reffert scored a game-high 22 points for the Crusaders.

Karns City 39, Shady Side Academy 26: Shady Side Academy (19-9) saw its season end at Clarion University, falling to the District 9 champion Gremlins (22-5). Kesley Olander scored 12 points for the Indians.

Lakeview 43, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 37: Despite 18 points from Micki Cerchiaro, the Chargers (20-7) fell to District 10 runner-up Lakeview (26-2) at Sharon.

Westmont Hilltop 67, Washington 25: At Central Cambria, Washington (16-11) fell to District 6 champion Westmont Hilltop (22-6).

The Little Prexies were paced by Marquerite Sargent and DiRay Jolly, who scored six points apiece.

Girard 50, Ford City 36: The Sabers (25-3) fell to Girard (22-6) at Fox Chapel.

Bishop McCort 73, Beaver 46: District 6 runner-up Bishop McCort (22-5) eliminated the Bobcats (21-7) at Charleroi.