It was less than a minute into North Catholic's semifinal game against Beaver Falls and the Trojans leading scorer, Matt Long, got into a collision with another player.

He stayed in the game until his head started itching and he went to the bench to ask his uncle and head coach, Dave Long, what was wrong.

"He ran by the bench and asked what's wrong with my head and I told him he had blood all over his neck," Dave Long said.

He was on the bench for about six minutes while the coaches tried to stop the bleeding.

"They were trying to pinch it together and I think every five seconds I was asking the trainer if I was alright," Matt Long said.

"They were getting annoyed with me but I wanted to get back in really bad."

Long got back in the game and scored 15 points but it was not enough as Beaver Falls prevailed 67-58. At halftime they tried to "butterfly" it shut but it would not stick.

The WPIAL playoff run ended for North Catholic but Matt Long's willingness to play despite a gash that would later require seven staples to close at the Saint Margaret's Emergency Room tells a lot about the desire and effort the team has put into this season.

The Trojans lineup consisted of a new transfer to the school and a freshman point guard all while having to replace key seniors who graduated after last season. Yet North Catholic went a perfect 12-0 in Section 4-AA and hasput together a 23-4 season so far as they enter the PIAA playoffs Saturday.

They will face District 5 champion Tussey Mountain (23-3) at 6 p.m. at Chestnut Ridge High School in New Paris, Pa.

Last season after advancing to the WPIAL quarterfinals, North Catholic earned a state playoff berth where they were bounced in the first round by Westmont Hilltop, 54-35.

"I think it was an eye-opener last year for the fact that you got 25 fans behind your bench and you are looking across at maybe 2500 of their fans," coach Long said.

"It's usually their district [game] officials and you get the idea it is you against the world. If you lose it emotionally then there goes the game. Last year we were in the game in the first half and we got caught up with the officials and the fans and we just kind of slowly let things slip through our fingers. Hopefully based on that, it will help them this year."

Coach Long made the hour and a half drive through the snow to scout Tussey Mountain's last game. He thinks his team can exploit its height advantage in the game with 6-foot-5 junior center Henry Pwono, a transfer from Central Catholic who scored 20 points against Beaver Falls, and juniors Joe and Matt Long both listed at 6 feet 2.

"Hopefully the scouting will help our team. I think we have an advantage size-wise but they have quick feet and they are an athletic team. They play man-to-man defense. But we are excited to get back on that horse," coach Long said.

"In spite of a successful [WPIAL] tournament, I think they still have something to prove. Maybe we can go out there and beat a few more teams to end the season. There are a bunch of great teams still in our district and we are just happy to play again.

"For me personally it is not difficult to climb back on the horse and I know our players can get back on the horse and go for one more ride."

After beating Quaker Valley and Riverside in the first two rounds of the playoffs, North Catholic had to deal with the speed of Beaver Falls. The Trojans wanted to avoid getting into a foot race with the more athletic Tigers, but it was almost inevitable. They did manage to slow them down a little with a 3-2 matchup zone that forced Beaver Falls to shoot from the outside, but the Tigers were still able to penetrate and get close to the basket.

"It's kind of hard not to play their game. It's just a matter of survival. You can't hide from them so you might as well run like heck," coach Long said.

"Deep down, I was afraid we would be overwhelmed by their defensive pressure but I have nothing but good things to say about the way our kids handled it. A lot was gained in that defeat, getting that type of experience against that kind of foot speed. After seeing it and defending against it, we are a better team now."