By Derek Pyda

Eagle Staff Writer

JACKSON TWP — The third quarter could have been a turning point for the Seneca Valley boys basketball team.

Instead, it became another frustrating chapter in a non-section game against Fox Chapel Friday night.

Trailing the Foxes 34-17 at halftime, the Raiders did not allow a point in the first six minutes, 57 seconds of the second half.

But SV managed little offensive punch itself, scoring just six points in that span.

The Foxes' drought ended with a bucket from Arnold Vento. He added another by the end of the quarter and SV's deficit was still substantial at 38-23 with a quarter to play. SV went on to suffer a 52-39 loss on its home floor

Five turnovers in the third helped keep the Raiders from getting back in the game

“We locked them down, but Fox Chapel is so good defensively,” said SV coach Kevin Trost. “We're a young team and our inexperience showed tonight.”

Fox Chapel (5-0) has not allowed more than 48 points in any contest this season.

“We've been a strong defensive team for six years now. It's our calling card,” said Fox Chapel coach Zach Skrinjar. “It's nice to have that because it can bail you out when you go through a bad spell offensively.”

The Foxes did not struggle at that end of the floor in the first half. Led by Vento, who scored a game-high 18 points, they shot 50 percent (13-of-26) from the floor in the first two quarters.

Skrinjar directs a very deliberate offense.

“They make you guard them for 35 seconds,” Trost said. “Then we came down and were putting up shots after eight seconds. We were way too quick, especially early on.”

While Vento was Fox Chapel's only double-digit scorer, he had a supporting cast of Kent Baldauf (nine points), Will Livingston (nine) and Eli Yofan (eight).

“We predominantly play seven guys and they can switch back and forth with who scores the most in a game,” said Skrinjar. “They don't care who scores. It's an unselfish group.”

Mason Bush scored 16 points to lead the Raiders (0-3), who dropped decisions to Upper St. Clair (77-52) and Chartiers Valley (78-73) to open the season.

“A lot of the points we've given up have come in transition or at the free throw line,” said Trost. “If we can eliminate giving up what I call easy points, that would give us a better chance to be successful.

“There's going to be some growing pains,” he added. “We've played some really good teams to start the season, but down the road, I believe it will benefit us.”

The Raiders host a non-section game against North Catholic Tuesday.

FOX CHAPEL 52

Eli Yofan 3 1-2 8, Shane Susnak 1 0-0 3, Kent Baldauf 3 2-3 9, Will Livingston 4 1-2 9, Arnold Vento 7 3-3 18, James Dockey 1 0-0 2, Jacob DeMotte 1 0-0 3, Lorenzo Jenkins 0 0-0 0, Russ Fenton 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 7-10 52.

SENECA VALLEY 39

Cole Brooks 1 0-0 3, Connor Lyczek 2 2-4 6, Gabe Lawson 2 2-2 7, Brian Hart 2 3-3 7, Mason Bush 5 4-8 16, Luke Lawson 0 0-0 0, Ethan West 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 11-17 39.

Fox Chapel 19 15 4 14 — 52

Seneca Valley6 11 6 16 — 39

3-point goals: Fox Chapel 5 (Vento, Baldauf, Susnak, Yofan, DeMotte); Seneca Valley 4 (Bush 2, G. Lawson, Brooks).

Tuesday: North Catholic at Seneca Valley