Tis' the season for gifts, basketball tournaments - and another win for the North Hills ninth-grade basketball team.

In what was a big test for North Hills, the Indians took a 4-1 record into a game against Upper St. Clair in the North Allegheny Tournament Tuesday afternoon. Upper St. Clair brought an undefeated record into the contest.

But North HIlls handed USC its first loss with a 57-50 victory. It was the fifth win in a row for North Hills and upped the Indians' record to 5-1.

North Hills never trailed in the contest. The Indians were hot in the beginning and jumped to a 15-point lead in the first quarter, and led by eight points at halftime. North Hills took a 47-35 lead into the fourth quarter before things got a little dicey. Upper St. Clair mounted a comeback and tied the game, 49-49 with a few minutes left. But North Hills outscored USC, 8-1, down the stretch to hang on for the win.

Kelly McCarthy hit a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter after the game was tied. McCarthy finished with 11 points and was one of three players in double figures for the Indians. Jackson Long led the Indians with 17 points, Nathan Schanbacher had 16 and Ethan Guszczynski 9.

North Hills plays Norwin in the North Allegheny Tournament Wednesday at 12:40.