SHARON — Slippery Rock may have a secret weapon.

Well, maybe not so secret anymore.

Freshman Ella McDermott hit two big 3-pointers in the first quarter to get the Slippery Rock girls basketball team rolling on the way to a 55-30 win over Hickory Wednesday night in the District 10 5A semifinals at Sharon High School.

“We haven't played her in varsity that much,” said Slippery Rock coach Amber Osborn. “As the season has gone on, (assistant coach Doug Osborn) and I said, 'We have to get her on the floor.'”

They did against the Hornets.

McDermott scored 12 points as Slippery Rock advanced to the district title game for the third consecutive season.

Two years ago, the Rockets (19-4) lost to Central Tech. Last year, Macy McCall hit a shot at the buzzer to give Slippery Rock the district title over Harbor Creek.

McCall is now on the softball team at Wright State University.

Anna Kadlubek scored 20 points to lead the Rockets.

Kadlubek, a sophomore point guard, was coming off a 17-point game against Corry in the quarterfinals.

“I think sometimes she gets focused on getting people involved and sometimes doesn't take as many shots as she should,” Osborn said. “We talked about it, that coming into the playoffs she had to up her game and fuel her fire and she's done that.”

Kadlubek's calling-card is her speed and ability to turn turnovers into easy points.

Against Hickory, she showed off her shooting touch as well, hitting two 3-pointers and going a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line.

Maryann Ackerman added 10 points for the Rockets, who will take on Warren in the final Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

“People always tell me, 'You've done this and this,'” Osborn said. “But I don't really look at it that way. I know we win. I know we're in the championship game, but you want to win that championship. This is what you work for all season.”

Warren (20-4) is led bysenior guard Margo Loutzenhiser, who is the program's all-time leading scorer and a Gannon University recruit.

She had 16 the Dragons' semifinal win Wednesday over General McLane.

The Dragons also have two freshmen, Riley Childress and Chelsea Albaugh, who have made a big impact.

“I think it will be a good challenge,” Osborn said. “I'm going to dive myself into the film and prepare the next few days as much as I can, and I'm sure they'll do the same. They're a very good team, but we are, too. I feel like it's an even matchup.”

HICKORY 30

S. McKnight 4 0-0 9, K. McKnight 2 0-0 4, DeJulia 2 1-2 5, Anderson 0 0-2 0, Daniels 2 3-4 7, White 1 2-2 5. Totals: 11 6-10 30.

SLIPPERY ROCK 55

Emma McDermott 2 1-2 6, Anna Kadlubek 7 4-4 20, Hallie Raabe 3 0-0 7, Maryann Ackerman 4 1-2 10, Ella McDermott 5 0-0 12. Totals: 21 6-8 55.

Hickory 7 12 8 3 — 30

Slippery Rock16 17 13 9 — 55

3-point goals: Hickory 2 (S. Mcknight, White); Slippery Rock 7 (Emma McDermott, Kadlubek 2, Raabe, Ackerman, Ella McDermott 2)

Saturday: Slippery Rock vs. Warren in District 10 5A championship game, site and time TBD