RIMERSBURG — To keep his team sharp for the District 9 Class A playoffs, Union girls basketball coach Josh Meeker had to be creative.

Sure, he did the normal things. He scrimmaged against teams like Kittanning during the two-week layoff to challenge his team.

But he also played against a group of ninth- and 10th-grade Union boys and against his subs — all eight of them at once against his five starters.

DuBois Central Catholic probably wished it could have borrowed a few of those players.

Union shook off some rust and early shooting woes to lead 41-14 at halftime and 65-20 at the end of three quarters on the way to a 75-24 home playoff win over the Cardinals Thursday night.

This was the first step in a journey for the Damsels (24-1) that began last year following a loss to Kennedy Catholic in the PIAA Class A semifinals.

"It isn't like this is our breakout year where this is the first time this has happened. They were here last year," Meeker said. "They still have that taste in their mouth from the Kennedy Catholic game. It's been a year, but it is still there."

Union realizes things will get much tougher as the playoff march forward. But on Thursday, things were business as usual.

How dominating were the Damsels? Consider these facts:

The 40-point mercy rule kicked in with 4:16 remaining in the third quarter. The Damsels polished off the win in a mere 65 minutes.

At the end of the third quarter, Union had outrebounded DuBois 49-16.

Andrea Mortimer had more points at the end of three quarters (23) than the Cardinals had as a team (20).

Mortimer and Koch combined for more rebounds (23) than DuBois had as a team (22).

Union forced 34 turnovers.

"They're a real good team," said DuBois coach Steve Taylor. "We knew that coming in. They have a chance to go all the way. We hope they do."

Union started a bit slowly by missing its first six shots. But that was a mere small bump in an otherwise smooth road.

The Damsels finished shooting 30-of-72 from the field. Meanwhile, DuBois was just 9-of-39 shooting.

As usual, Union took advantage of its quickness and penchant for forcing turnovers. The Damsels turned many of the DuBois miscues into points.

And if they missed a shot, Mortimer or Koch was usually there to get the offensive rebound.

"It seems like they are always around the ball and around the basket," Meeker said.

Tiffany Corle had a big first half, scoring all 15 of her points before the break.

"Tiff came out explosive in that first half," Meeker said. "She wasn't afraid to take the basketball right to the hoop."

Now, Union will wait for its next playoff opponent.

And maybe more matchups against boys teams and more eight-on-five action in practice.

"They did quite well," Meeker said of how his team reacted to his unusual scrimmages. "The boys played hard. None of them wants to lose to a group of girls."

Perhaps no one can topple these Damsels, who are by no means in distress.

DuBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC 24

Marissa Ferrarccio 0-5 2-4 2, Nuchele Hoover 0-2 0-0 0, Gabby Saldutte 0-0 0-0 0, Beth Pernesky 0-1 0-0 0, Angela Gasbarre 0-0 0-0 0, Andrea Moyer 2-6 0-0 4, Lauren Nesbit 0-1 0-0 0, Steph Strishock 4-7 2-3 11, Molly Yebernetsky 0-1 0-0 0, Brittany Hovver 1-12 0-0 3, Nicole Brown 1-1 0-0 2, Rachel Coggins 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 9-39 4-7 24

UNION 75

Andrea Mortimer 9-20 5-6 23, Bethany Koch 5-11 0-0 10, Samatha Harmon 2-2 0-0 4, Janele Divins 2-6 0-0 5, Tiffany Corle 6-15 2-2 15, Colleen Logue 0-0 0-0 0, Nikki Davis 4-9 1-2 9, Molly Scott 2-3 2-2 6, Mackenzie Shirey 0-1 1-2 1, Alicia Anthony 0-3 2-2 2, Meagan Booth 0-1 0-0 0, Heather Booth 0-0 0-0 0, Corri Seybert 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 30-72 13-16 75

3-point goals:

Strishock, Divins, Corle