SHARON — Everything was going to plan.

The Slippery Rock High girls basketball team was frustrating Thomas Jefferson with their speed and quickness, forcing poor shots, getting rebounds and scoring at the other end.

When the opening six-minute flurry was over, the District 10 5A champion Rockets had an 18-6 lead on the Jaguars.

But it didn't last.

Thomas Jefferson regrouped and went on an 11-0 run in the second quarter to crawl all the way out of that early hole.

The two teams spent the rest of the game trading baskets and leads until the Jaguars outlasted the Rockets in overtime, ending Slippery Rock's season in a 66-57 defeat Saturday afternoon in the first round of the PIAA 5A playoffs at Sharon High School.

“I feel like they followed the scouting report to a T,” said Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn.

Thomas Jefferson, though, had its own scouting report on Slippery Rock and thought it could force the Rockets into a lot of mistakes.

And the Jaguars did.

Turnovers were a big reason why Slippery Rock struggled at times after its initial push.

The Rockets had 18 turnovers — all of them costly.

“I don't know how many turnovers we had. But it was a lot,” Osborn said. “Turnovers absolutely killed us.”

So did rebounding.

Thomas Jefferson (21-4) held a distinct edge on the boards, particularly on the offensive glass.

“Our kids are relentless,” said Thomas Jefferson coach George Vlassich.

And also unfazed.

The Jaguars were down 24-7 to Oakland Catholic in the WPIAL playoffs before rallying for a victory.

“We tell the kids, 'Look, first quarter means nothing,'” Vlassich said. “We've been there before. They dig down deep, you know. Perseverance. Gut check.”

Slippery Rock (20-5) had its own gut check in this game.

Despite the turnover and rebounding problems and down by five in the fourth quarter, Slippery Rock rallied to take a 51-48 lead with four minutes left in regulation.

The Rockets then fell behind 54-51 late, but a 3-point play by Emma McDermott, who led Slippery Rock with 17 points, knotted the game.

Slippery Rock was trying to hold the ball for a final shot in regulation, but a turnover torpedoed those plans with 15 seconds left.

Thomas Jefferson, though, failed to convert on the other end and the game went to overtime, where it was all Jaguars.

Thomas Jefferson was 8 of 8 from the free throw line in the extra frame and 21 of 23 in the game. The Jags made their last 19 foul shots.

“This is our best foul shooting performance all year,” Vlassich said. “Our scorers stepped up at the line — 21 of 23, what more can you ask for?”

Thomas Jefferson will play Mars in the second round of the PIAA 5A tournament at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Plum High School.

Jaguars' point guard Jenna Clark, who is being recruited by several Division I programs, led all scorers with 22 points.

Hallie Raabe, who was battling a stomach virus, scored 15 for Slippery Rock and Macy McCall added 10.

For the Rockets, a magical season came to an end.

With three freshman playing significant roles, few thought Slippery Rock would even make the district tournament, let alone win the D-10 title and advance to the PIAA tourney.

Seniors Jenna Heitzenrater and McCall will depart.

McCall will play college softball at Wright State University while Heitzenrater, who came up big in her final season with the Rockets, may play basketball next season at Butler County Community College.

“There wasn't a dry eye in that locker room, not because we lost. What you can't get back is the people you lose,” Osborn said. “Stretch (Heitzenrater) and Macy are both fun and quirky and making jokes all the time. I think that's the stuff we'll miss the most. They made everyone feel welcome and made everyone loose. They led on and off the floor. They were really a coach's dream to have.

“Jenna flat out told them in the locker room that she hated basketball for three years,” Osborn added. “But that this has been the most enjoyable season for her. She said she never felt closer to any group.”

THOMAS JEFFERSON 66

Jenna Clark 5-16 11-11 22, Becca Mascaro 6-13 0-0 12, Shaylor Williams 1-7 3-4 5, Marina Petruzzi 5-13 5-6 16, Alyssa D'Angelo 1-1 0-0 2, Casey Gedman 1-1 0-0 2, Maura Siess 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-58 21-23 66.

SLIPPERY ROCK 57

Maryann Ackerman 0-5 0-0 0, Emma McDermott 6-11 1-1 17, Hallie Raabe 5-9 4-4 15, Jenna Heitzenrater 2-2 3-5 7, Macy McCall 4-12 1-2 10, Anna Kadlubek 3-8 0-1 8. Totals: 20-57 9-13 57.

Thomas Jefferson 8 21 14 11 12 — 66

Slippery Rock18 14 8 14 3 — 57

3-point goals: Thomas Jefferson 3 (Clark, Petruzzi, D'Angelo); Slippery Rock 8 (McDermott 4, Raabe, McCall, Kadlubek 2)