Conemaugh Valley is making its first foray into the Sweet 16 since 2006 tonight when the District 6 champion Blue Jays play District 7-5 finisher Neshannock in a 7:30 p.m. Class A matchup at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh.

“Obviously, you want to play all your games as close as possible,” Lancers coach John Corey said, noting that his team defeated Shade last year at Pitt-Johnstown.

“Playing at North Hills this year and not having to make that trip, definitely is a pleasant surprise.”

Corey says he thinks his squad is prepared for the Blue Jays, who fell to Lebanon Catholic in their last second-round appearance.

“They play a lot of zone from the film that we’ve watched on them and people that we’ve talked to,” the Neshannock coach said. “That’s not a problem for us because we’ve faced a lot of zone and stuff throughout the season.

“But it does come down to hitting shots, and if you don’t hit shots, you could be in for a long night. We just need to string together a good shooting night and continue to attack the rim like we have all season and I think we’ll be fine.”

Neshannock (17-8) is led by

6-foot-4 senior Robbie Nittenger, who averages 19.8 points per game. Nittenger had nine

3-pointers in one game earlier in the season.

The other expected starters for the Lancers are 6-3 senior center Eric Bruening, 6-2 junior guard Brandon Marinelli, 6-0 senior guard Joe Fontana and 5-11 senior guard Charles Van Emann.

John Sansone, a 5-10 sophomore point guard, comes off the bench for the New Castle-area squad. Marinelli averages

12.3 points, Fontana, 12.1 and Sansone chips in 9.9 per game.

“They are a very good opponent,” Conemaugh Valley coach Garry Lupek said. “They score a lot of points and play a very good schedule.

“This game is going to be won on the defensive end of the floor.

“We will have to do what we can to limit their offensive leader and keep their other floor leaders quiet. We have to pay attention to their key performers. The ‘X’ factors will be very important.

“We have to control the offensive boards, go after loose balls and eliminate unforced errors.”

The Blue Jays have a senior-led squad which goes eight deep on the depth chart with four players scoring in double figures led by

6-foot-4 senior guard/forward Jimmy Lupek, who averages

17.5 points a game.

Jason Preuss, a 5-9 senior guard, chips in 13.9 points a game while 6-2 senior center/forward Cody Kushner adds 11.3. Dalton Uncapher, a 6-4 sophomore center/forward, provides 11.4 points a game. The other Blue Jays regulars, all seniors, include 6-1 Alex Roberts, 6-4 Jesse Uncapher,

6-1 Russell Turner and 5-11 Ryan Soflarsky.

“I think boxing out is probably the biggest thing for us,” Corey said. “Talking to the other coaches, they all say how hard they attack the glass. So we have to be committed to boxing out.

“That’s probably the No. 1 key.

“The No. 2 key would be taking care of the basketball.

“They’re probably going to play us with a little 1-3-1, trapping zone defense.”

Conemaugh Valley (23-3), which won its first District 6 crown since 1979 in a narrow 51-50 victory over Homer-Center, defeated District 10 runner-up Linesville 67-33 in the first round while the Lancers downed District 9 champ DuBois Central Catholic 63-50.

“This is a steppingstone and we want to continue to improve as a team and as individuals and play up to our capabilities,” Lupek said.

“You don’t have to play in the playoffs. When you pay your fee, they tell you who you’re going to play, where and what time and then you go and board the bus, keep your mouth shut and go out on the floor and perform to your best capabilities.”