New Castle finishes perfect season by stomping La Salle College in PIAA Class AAAA boys’ basketball championship

logo_pennlive

Unleashing a determined defensive effort fueled by the energy generated by an fervent fanbase, Ralph Blundo’s basketball-playing New Castle Hurricanes capped a perfect season by powering past LaSalle College 52-39 in the PIAA Class AAAA championship game Saturday night at Hershey’s Giant Center.

Malik Hooker chiseled out a double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds), including a clutch drive and finish at the end of the third quarter that gave the Red Hurricanes (31-0) plenty of bounce heading into the final eight minutes.

Bounce that Joe Dempsey’s Explorers (23-7) could not match.

Drew Allen added 13 points for New Castle, which continued to add to the 30-24 lead it held after three quarters. Jake McPhatter and Stew Allen shared 17 more points as Blundo’s Hurricanes locked up their first state championship.

(click on this link for the full story)