SLIPPERY ROCK — The Rockets needed a whole lot of “Sweat Equity” Monday night against rival Hickory.

It's a mantra the Slippery Rock High girls basketball team has adopted, inspired by the story of Inky Johnson, a University of Tennessee football player who had his right arm paralyzed after a hit during a game in 2006.

“Sweat Equity” is on the Rockets' warm-up shirts and the players listened to Johnson's motivational speech on YouTube before their pivotal game against the Hornets.

It worked as Slippery Rock used plenty of sweat to beat Hickory, 45-37, in a rocking and rowdy Rock Box to gain the inside track on the District 10, Region 5 title.

“(Johnson) said, 'You're going to get out of life whatever you put into it,'” said Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn about the Johnson speech. “I gave them that video at the beginning of the season and that's what they chose to put on their T-shirts. Sweat Equity.”

Slippery Rock (14-4, 9-1) got plenty of sweat from its starting five, which played all but four seconds of the game.

Only when point guard Anna Kadlubek fouled out late did the Rockets put in a sub.

Kadlubek scored a game-high 15 points, 10 in the second half as the Rockets went 11-of-11 from the free throw line in the final quarter.

Slippery Rock had three freshmen on the floor, including Kadlubek, all night. But they played nothing at all like first-year varsity players.

They are poised beyond their years, Osborn said.

“Thank goodness they are,” the second-year coach said. “We wouldn't be where we are now if they weren't.”

Where Slippery Rock is now is in the driver's seat for a region title.

Getting over the hump against a Hickory team that beat them the first time around three weeks ago was the first step.

“Honestly, this whole game, all three of us (freshmen) weren't even thinking,” Kadlubek said. “We just played our hearts out.”

Injuries, including a big one suffered by senior guard Macy McCall, made Slippery Rock's bench as short as short could get.

Senior Jenna Heitzenrater, who scored nine points and pulled down some key rebounds, said they knew it was going to be iron-woman basketball against Hickory.

“We knew it was going to be a battle and we knew there was going to be a short bench,” Heitzenrater said. “We just love playing with each other. And, honestly, it takes everybody, even on the bench. They are so encouraging.

“To work with these younger girls is so much fun,” Heitzenrater added. “They have such a love and knowledge of the game. The don't worry about anything. They just go.”

Heitzenrater wore McCall's warmup jersey before the game.

The team has rallied around its fallen star, much as they have around the Inky Johnson story.

McCall scored 17 points the last time the Rockets played Hickory, but broke a bone in her foot before the next game.

“We just wanted to do this for Macy,” Kadlubek said.

“I've been with her since pre-school,” Heitzenrater said. “She's definitely my best friend and I've been so excited to play with her this year. Unfortunately, we had her go out.”

Slippery Rock started slow against Hickory (12-6, 8-2), missing its first seven shots and fell behind 10-5 after the first quarter.

But the Rockets settled down and entered the half tied with the Hornets at 15-15.

The score was still tied, 28-28, after three quarters, setting up the pivotal fourth.

Kadlubek was 4-of-4 from the line, Hallie Raabe 3-of-3 and Heitzenrater and Maryann Ackerman combined to go 4-for-4 in the final eight minutes.

“Huge,” Osborn said. “Absolutely huge.”

Ackerman finished with 14 points.

Slippery Rock's smothering defense did the rest.

Switching between man-to-man and a diamond press, the Rockets held Hickory to a poor shooting night.

The Hornets were just 14-of-56 (25 percent) from the field.

Now the Rockets must quickly turn the page with General McLane on the horizon at home Thursday night.

“I said enjoy today,” Osborn said. “But turn the page to tomorrow. We're where we want to be. We just have to stay here now.”

HICKORY 37

Jessica White 5-12 2-2 13, Carly Roesch 5-18 2-2 12, Hannah Aikins 2-6 1-3 5, Hannah Crow 2-14 1-2 6, Carly Brest 0-4 0-0 0, Isabella DeJulia 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 14-56 6-9 37.

SLIPPERY ROCK 45

Maryann Ackerman 6-12 2-2 14, Emma McDermott 0-6 0-0 0, Jenna Heitzenrater 3-7 3-3 9, Anna Kadlubek 5-11 4-6 15, Hallie Raabe 2-8 3-3 7, Taylor Balint 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-44 12-15 45.

Hickory 10 5 13 9 — 37

Slippery Rock5 10 13 17 — 45

3-point goals: Hickory 3 (White 2, Crow); Slippery Rock 1 (Kadlubek)

Thursday: General McLane at Slippery Rock