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The New Castle Red Hurricanes continued their historic run in the WPIAL with a 55-49 triumph over Hampton in the Class AAAA Championship game on Saturday night at the A.J. Palumbo Center.  Before another capacity crowd, the Red Hurricanes defeated Hampton for the third time this season and for the third consecutive year in a WPIAL final.  New Castle defeated the Talbots in 2012 in Class AAA where both teams will be returning next season because of realignment.

New Castle becomes the eighth team in WPIAL history to win three consecutive titles. The Red Hurricanes achieved their third straight title with an undefeated record.

Things started well for the second-seeded Talbots, opening the game with 13-2 lead midway through the first quarter. Hampton also limited NC’s top threats Malik Hooker and Anthony Richards to a combined 13 points, a new season low. However, the Hurricanes stormed back behind the play of twin brothers Drew and Stew Allen. Drew scored 14 points and Stew netted 18.

Hampton’s leading scorer was senior and Pitt-recruit Ryan Luther who finished with a 21 points. Unlike their semifinal win over North Allegheny, the Talbots had a poor free-throw shooting night.  Hampton converted just 5 of 16 attempts from the charity stripe.

The WPIAL champion Red Hurricanes improve to 26-0 and will face Bethel Park in the first round of the PIAA Tournament on Saturday, a team that defeated in the quarterfinal round of the WPIAL bracket. Hampton falls to 22-4 and will battle City League Champion Allderdice in the opening round of states.

–Photo by Lee Mohn