Terrelle Pryor's liftoff started just inside the free-throw line. His thundering one-handed dunk looked like LeBron, or Kobe, or something from an NBA highlight film, as it knocked an opponent to the ground and brought Jeannette's sellout crowd to its feet.

But while that electrifying moment was a sharp jab at Greensburg Central Catholic's ego, it wasn't typical of the way this game played out. This was a night when Jeannette did its damage from much farther away from the basket.

Jeannette used some terrific outside shooting to pummel Greensburg Central Catholic, 80-54, in a showdown for first place in WPIAL Class AA Section 1.

Jeannette shot 56 percent (32 of 57) from the field, but it was the way the Jayhawks shot in the first three quarters that sent their close rivals home with a resounding loss.

Jeannette made 63 percent (30 of 48) of its shots through early in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 15 to start the second half. The Jayhawks scored on some medium-range jumpers and drives to the basket, but they also made 53 percent (9 of 17) from 3-point range in the first three quarters.

"That was not a fluke. We have some shooters on this team," said Jeannette coach Jim Nesser.

Not bad when you consider Jeannette has had only seven practices because all but one of its players were on the football team that didn't finish its season until Dec. 15.

Junior guard Jordan Hall led Jeannette with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Senior forward Shaw Sunder added 18 points, including two 3-pointers, and was 8 of 11 from the field. They helped Jeannette lift its record to 5-3 overall and 4-0 in the section. Greensburg Central Catholic is now 10-5 overall and 6-1 in section.

"Can they shoot that good all the time? Probably not," Nesser said. "But those kids can shoot. It's not like we just throw the balls out at practice and play."

Pryor, the magnificent football-basketball star, can shoot, too, as he made one 3-pointer. But those dunks are a little easier. Pryor, a 6-6 forward, had five last night. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds and a handful of assists. Not bad for someone who missed a week of basketball while playing in an all-star football game in San Antonio and arrived back in town until Sunday.

Somewhere on the way home, he must have stopped at a phone booth and got into his basketball uniform.

"I'd hate to see him three weeks from now when he's in basketball shape," Nesser said, somewhat in awe. "Right now he's playing ... I don't know what he's playing on."

Pryor was a little motivated to play against Greensburg Central Catholic's Marko Cukic, a 6-8 forward who came to Greensburg Central this year from Serbia. Cukic had remarked in a recent newspaper article that there is more competition in Serbia club leagues than here.

Cukic finished with a team-high 15 points. He guarded Pryor much of the night.

"Here, make sure you get this," Pryor said, bending down to get close to a reporter's tape recorder. "He can't guard me. How do you say that in Serbian?"

Greensburg Central Catholic started in a diamond-and-one defense with four players in a zone, and Cukic guarding Pryor man-to-man. Pryor got his teammates involved, took only three shots in the first quarter and Jeannette was ahead, 19-16.

But Pryor scored 12 points in the second quarter, including one dunk when Hall threw a pass off the backboard on a fast break.

Jeannette scored the first 13 points of the second quarter and never looked back.

"Physically, these kids are not 100 percent in basketball shape yet," Nesser said.

Sure could've fooled Greensburg Central Catholic.