JACKSON TWP — Having already secured a spot in the WPIAL playoffs, Seneca Valley's girls basketball team was looking to stretch its winning streak to four games in Thursday's section finale against Butler.

Maddie Karchut was key in helping the Raiders do just that, turning in a solid effort in the paint on both ends of the floor.

The 6-foot-1 junior forward scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while blocking five shots and throwing in three steals as the Raiders prevailed 41-30 on their home court.

Four of Karchut's blocks came in the first half, which ended with the Raiders clinging to a 21-19 lead.

“We drove on her early, but she was able to get those blocks without fouling,” said Butler coach Mark Maier of Karchut, who was charged with just one foul in the game. “She played well and was a big factor tonight.”

Karchut's offense has improved and she has reached double figures more regularly of late.

“I did a lot of training over the summer and worked on my inside moves,” Karchut said. “Last year, I'd use the same moves over and over.”

“She still has a way to go,” said SV coach Todd Schoeffel. “She could have scored 20 tonight if she makes a few more of those inside shots. But she's a strong kid, is starting to understand the paint and has more confidence.”

The Raiders (15-6, 9-5) led almost the entire game, but unlike the teams' first meeting (a 59-34 win for SV last month), the game was in doubt until late.

When Jordan Kauffman hit a trey for the Golden Tornado with 7:10 left in the game, SV's lead stood at 30-27. The Raiders then closed the game on an 11-3 run.

A 3-pointer from Gretchen Koken, a putback from Karchut and another bucket from Olivia West helped put the game on ice, along with several Butler miscues.

“I thought our effort was much better tonight than in the first game,” said Maier. “I've said it before, I'm pleased with the effort, but not satisfied with the result.

“We had some inopportune turnovers at the end.”

Kauffman led all scorers with 15 points, including four treys. She leads Butler (7-13, 3-11) this season with 12 points per game.

“She's meant a lot to the team,” said Maier. “Coming into this season, we were wondering where the points were going to come from. She rebounds well, has deceptive drives and is respected as a leader.”

Senior guard McKenna Gross paced the Raiders with 14 points. SV will look to close the regular season with a win Saturday at Ambridge.

“Winning feels great,” said Karchut. “We have a lot of energy right now and just have to keep working hard.”

Schoeffel believes his team must take its game to another level if it is to make noise in the postseason.

“I'm hard on 'em,” he said of his players. “It's nice to go into games knowing we are going to give ourselves a chance to win, but I like the game to be played a certain way and in some ways, we're still searching. We still have work to do.”

BUTLER 30

Jordan Kauffman 5 1-1 15, Emma Monteleone 0 1-2 1, Ali Altman 4 0-2 8, Sydney Hanratty 1 0-0 3, Sarayne Forbes 1 0-0 2, Aubree Tack 0 1-4 1, Makenna Maier 0 0-0 0, Emilee Altman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 3-9 30.

SENECA VALLEY 41

Gretchen Koken 3 0-0 7, Haley Cramer 0 4-6 4, Jaden Davinsizer 1 0-0 3, Maddie Karchut 5 1-5 11, McKenna Gross 7 0-1 14, Olivia West 1 0-0 2, Jess Bickart 0 0-0 0, Olivia Neuman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 5-12 41.

Butler 6 13 5 6 — 30

Seneca Valley8 13 7 13 — 41

3-point goals: Butler 5 (Kauffman 4, Hanratty); Seneca Valley 2 (Koken, Davinsizer).

JV: Butler 41-26

Saturday: Butler vs. OLSH at Kennedy Catholic; Seneca Valley at Ambridge