SLIPPERY ROCK — It's a tight game, the fans are in full throat and Slippery Rock High senior forward Sarah Cessar sits on the bench with an ice pack on the side of her head.

A lump is forming there, the result of an unfortunate collision with Franklin guard Sadie Gravatt while diving for a loose ball during the District 10 Class AAA semifinal game Wednesday.

Despite her throbbing head, there's no way Cessar is calling it a night. This game is too important. This playoff run means too much.

"I didn't get a chance to play in the playoffs last year," said Cessar, who missed the Rockets' three postseason games as a junior with a mysterious illness that was never diagnosed. "I'm in tiptop shape. It's the healthiest I have ever been at this point in the season."

So Cessar returns to the contest to finish off Franklin and her 20-point game.

The win puts Slippery Rock in the district title game against Sharon at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

It's the first time the Rockets will play for a district championship since Cessar was a freshman.

She'll be there, lump and all.

"Sarah really has a focus this playoff season," said Slippery Rock girls basketball coach Adrienne Orris. "She missed out on the playoff season last year and she's trying to make up for it right now. She's ready."

That wasn't always the case.

In her sophomore year, Cessar was slowed by a back injury and the Rockets lost to Meadville in the first round of the playoffs.

An illness similar to mononucleosis-sapped her strength last year and kept her out of action.

It was hard for Cessar to be away from the court during the playoffs.

This year, she is savoring every minute.

In Slippery Rock's playoff opener against Corry, Cessar could hardly contain herself.

"We played Corry last year in the playoffs, and I missed it," Cessar said. "I had never played Corry before. It was the first time they had ever seen me. (Senior guard Karly Rhoads) told me before the game, 'Show them what they've been missing.'"

There is little missing from Cessar's game there days.

She's scoring inside and from 3-point range. She's rebounding. She's diving for loose balls — even at her own peril — and handling the ball during key stretches.

Cessar buzzed around the court with the ball late against Franklin, weaving through the Knights as if they were gates on a slalom course.

Cessar is happy to display the added dimension to her game.

"I've never had to do that, ever," Cessar said. "I kind of like running around like that with the basketball. It makes me feel fast, even though I'm not. I like having that control."

Controlling Sharon junior forward Brittany Benedetto might be the key for Slippery Rock.

"Our girls call Benedetto the Sarah Cessar of Sharon," Orris said.

Like Cessar, Benedetto is relentless and has few weaknesses.

She leads the Tigers in scoring at 19 points per game and in rebounding.

"Brittany plays the game 100 percent all the time," said Sharon coach Gene Sarazen.

Benedetto torched Slippery Rock for 29 points in a 74-61 road win in February. It was the Rockets' lone region loss.

Sharon (20-3) has won 11 straight games, including a 67-59 win over Mercyhurst Prep Wednesday to get to its first title game in three years.

Something has to give, but it won't be Cessar. She has proved how hard-headed she can be on the court.

"This has been a big goal of ours for three years: to get back to the district title game. The work we have put in during the last three years is paying off. I'm excited to finally play in the playoffs and help the team win."