NEW CASTLE — Malik Hooker can succeed in a supporting role and as the leading man.

In a 34-point win at Seneca Valley Jan. 4, New Castle’s junior guard/forward scored 20 points, but was overshadowed by Shawn Anderson’s total of 30.

Tuesday night, it was Hooker’s turn to be in the spotlight. He dropped a game-high 29 points, including 17 in the first quarter alone, as New Castle (18-0, 11-0) remained unbeaten with a dominating 75-52 victory.

Hooker scored New Castle’s first six points and his 3-pointer with 4:26 left in the opening period gave the Hurricanes a commanding 14-3 lead.

“Malik has so much upside,” said New Castle assistant coach Jason Doneluck. “He works so hard to be in a position to score. Sometimes, he does get out of position, but he makes up for it with his athleticism.”

As was the case in the teams’ earlier meeting, other players stepped up for New Castle. Anderson contributed 18 points and Antonio Rudolph managed 11.

“I don’t think a team of WPIAL all-stars could beat New Castle,” said Raiders coach Victor Giannotta. “Hooker is a terrific basketball player.”

SV did not help matters in the first quarter, committing nine turnovers, which helped the Hurricanes build a 24-12 lead in that span.

“You can’t get down about it because there is so much more of the game to play,” Giannotta said. “We just didn’t rebound well enough.”

The Raiders (14-5, 7-4) did bounce back with 18 points in the second quarter and, thanks to baskets from Alex Snyder, R.J. McCauley and T.J. Holl, went on a 6-0 run to start the second half to pull within 42-36 of the hosts.

But, led by Hooker whose two-point bucket with 5:16 left in the third period halted SV’s run, New Castle reeled off a 13-1 burst of its own. The result was a 55-37 lead after three quarters and the competitive aspect of the game was over.

Snyder paced Seneca with 12 points and McCauley had 11.

New Castle won the WPIAL Class AAA title last season and did not lose a game until Montour ended its season in a PIAA second-round playoff. The Hurricanes have their sights set on a Quad A crown this year and getting it with an undefeated record would put them in elite company.

“Coach (Ralph) Blundo keeps the focus on the moment,” said Doneluck. “He preaches togetherness. None of our players are selfish. They are all team players and we’re taking it one game at a time.”

Blundo was unavailable for comment.

SENECA VALLEY 52

Matt Darby 0 2-2 2, Easton Bazzoli 3 2-3 9, Mike Smith 3 3-3 9, T.J. Holl 2 1-2 5, Eric Woods 1 0-0 2, R.J. McCauley 3 5-6 11, Alex Snyder 5 2-2 12, Taylor Mantick 1 0-0 2, Zach Snyder 0 0-0 0, Bryce Schnatterly 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 15-18 52.

NEW CASTLE 75

Brandon Domenick 1 0-0 3, Drew Allen 1 1-2 4, Antonio Rudolph 5 0-1 11, Jake McPhatter 0 2-4 2, Shawn Anderson 7 4-5 18, Anthony Richards 1 1-2 4, Malik Hooker 12 3-4 29, Stew Allen 2 0-0 4, Jesse Salzano 0 0-0 0, Tyler Fitzpatrick 0 0-0 0, Rob Natale 0 0-0 0, Levar Ware 0 0-0 0. Totals: 29 11-18 75.

Seneca Valley 12 18 7 15—52

New Castle24 18 13 20—75

3-point goals: Seneca Valley 1 (Bazzoli); New Castle 6 (Hooker 2, Rudolph, Richards, D. Allen, Domenick)

Friday: Seneca Valley at Pine-Richland