JACKSON TWP — Kaden Rock got it started. Tyler Frederick got it finished.

And Butler is headed for the WPIAL playoffs.

The Golden Tornado (15-6, 7-5) clinched a berth with their 73-63 Section 3-AAAA boys basketball victory at Seneca Valley Thursday night.

“I was concerned about a lot of things coming down here, but didn't want to instill any negative thoughts in the kids,” Butler coach Matt Clement admitted. “Seneca Valley didn't have its two best players last time we played (56-38 Tornado win in Butler). This was their last game. They had nothing to lose and we had everything to lose.

“And we beat them in the final game to get in last year while knocking them out.”

But the Tornado never trailed in this game. Rock sank three treys in the first quarter to help Butler open up an early nine-point bulge.

Rock scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half. He contributed six assists to the cause as well.

“Kaden got us off to a quick start,” Clement said. “Our guys played mentally tough tonight. Seneca Valley played well and we withstood it. I'm proud of this team.”

The Raiders ended the season at 7-15, 1-11 in section play.

SV shaved an 11-point deficit down to one (28-27) with 3:30 left in the first half. A 10-point third quarter deficit was whittled to 57-53 with 7:40 left in the game before the Golden Tornado were finally able to pull away.

“This hasn't been a tough, frustrating season because the effort of our kids has alway been there,” SV coach Victor Giannotta said.

“I thought we were in position to rebound in the first half — but there weren't any rebounds. I'm speechless over how well Butler shot the ball in the first half, just speechless.”

The Tornado sank 15 of their 21 field goal attempts — including seven treys — in the first two quarters.

“We knew what was at stake tonight,” Rock said. “We had no idea what North Allegheny was doing, so we had to take care of business ourselves.

“It was great the way we came out shooting. Hitting those early shots helped to relax us.”

North Allegheny wound up dropping a 60-47 decision at North Hills. That loss, coupled with Butler's win, knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs.

Frederick scored four points and had three rebounds in the first half for Butler. He wound up with 19 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots.

“He took the game over in the second half,” Clement said. “Tyler does so many things for us. This was probably the best shot-altering game he's played.”

Frederick admitted he had to “increase my aggression” in terms of rebounding in the second half.

“We weren't going to keep shooting like we were (in the first half),” he said. “We had to take control, of the game inside.

“It feels great, coming down here and being able to get the job done.”

BUTLER 73

Damien Pickett 0-0 0-2 0, Kaden Rock 6-9 3-3 19, Luke Michalek 2-6 0-0 6, Kelley Kuharic 2-5 0-0 6, Jace Stutz 0-2 0-0 0, Jason Gray 1-1 0-0 2, Tyler Frederick 9-13 0-0 19, Connor Ollio 6-7 1-2 13, Joel Stutz 3-4 2-2 8. Totals: 29-48 6-9 73.

SENECA VALLEY 63

Jamir Carter 4-9 4-4 13, Nate Trzeciak 1-1 0-0 2, Payton Skalos 0-5 0-0 0, Patrick Uher 4-6 2-2 12, Matt Trotta 0-1 0-0 0, Jack Cook 3-11 1-1 7, Josh Balog 1-1 3-3 5, Justin Koken 1-2 0-0 2, Andrew Smathers 1-5 1-2 4, Chris Hart 5-8 2-2 14, Marcus Might 0-1 0-0 0, Mark Smathers 1-2 0-0 2, Clan Iaria 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 22-53 13-14 63.

Butler 21 20 16 16 — 73

Seneca Valley12 20 19 12 — 63

3-point goals: Rock 4, Michalek 2, Kuharic 2, Frederick; Carter, Uher 2, A.Smathers, Hart 2

JV: Seneca Valley, 61-32 (B: Tarik Taoufik 12, SV: Jacob Bonofsky 10, K. Cephas 10)

Monday: CW North Catholic at Butler