NCrpt

The term is becoming known throughout western Pennsylvania. "HurricaneD" That is what has been happening to teams that have played the Canes recently. They have been getting "HurricaneD."

New Castle’s trapping defense swarms to the ball so quickly with hands and arms flailing that even though teams prepare for it they can’t simulate the speed in practice, resulting in steal after steal for the Canes. If the Hurricanes could just shoot better and limit their own turnovers they would be winning much easier than they are.

Tonight against Hopewell the Canes were true to form causing 13 turnovers in the first half but turning it over eight time themselves. The Canes also missed five easy lay-ups before intermission. New Castle did right the ship in the second half shooting 54% with only six turnovers leading to a win over a quality team, 61-50.

The Canes stole the Vikings opening possession with Jamahl Lewis laying it in for a 2-0 lead. Hopewell scored the next two baskets and Chris McKnight tied it at 6:38. The next 6:20 of the period was a microcosm of the Canes season so far. They missed five shots, had five turnovers and caused six turnovers while only scoring two points and giving up two points. Matt Conti finally hit a ‘three’ with just 16 seconds to play in the period to give the Canes their first lead 9-8. New Castle led by one after one.

New Castle outscored the Vikings 6-2 to begin the second period but Hopewell came right back with a 7-2 run to tie the game at 17 at the 3:21 mark. Jory Malone put the Canes back on top at 2:34 and the Hurricanes maintained the rest of the period to lead at the half 24-21.

Two turnovers and two missed shots started the third quarter. Finally at 6:55 the Canes stole the ball and Mike Pagley put New Castle up by five. Another quick steal and five seconds later Conti buried one, and the Canes were up by seven. The Vikings responded with a ‘three’ but Joe Carter’s first two points of the night kept the lead at six.

A Hopewell score at 5:20 then two straight Hurricane turnovers resulted in five more points for the Vikings and the Canes now trailed 31-30 with 3:46 left in the third quarter.

The teams exchanged buckets in the next minute and a half and the Vikings maintained their lead. The Canes turned it over again on their next possession but Hopewell missed their field goal attempt but were fouled. They made only one of the free throws and led 36-34 at 1:48.

In the next minute, the Canes turned it over again then stole it right back. Pagley then took the ball and drove the lane, made the shot and was fouled in the process. He made the free throw and the Canes had the lead back with 47 seconds left in the period.

New Castle immediately stole the ball again with Pagley again being fouled while driving to the hoop. He made both free throws and the Hurricanes led after three quarters 39-36.

Six straight points by the Canes to start the fourth, four by Dom Joseph on rebounds and put-backs, put them up by nine at 7:03. Two baskets by the Vikings got them to within five but another Joseph put-back put the lead back to seven.

Two minutes later the first of three Malone lay-ups in the period put the lead back to nine and Hopewell got closer than that only once during the rest of the game, eight with 1:05 left. The Canes made six of seven free throws in the fourth quarter and won convincingly 61-50.

Mike Pagley was the leading scorer with 15 points including 8 of 9 from the free throw line. Chris McKnight and Dom Joseph each added 10. Jory Malone led the Canes with eight rebounds.

Name	FG	FTA	FTM	3's	TP
McKnight	3	4	4	0	10
Pagley	3	9	8	1	15
Malone	4	0	0	0	8
Joseph	5	0	0	0	10
Conti	2	3	2	1	7
Lewis	3	2	0	1	7
Carter	2	0	0	0	4
Walker	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	22	18	14	3	61

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