JACKSON TWP - Coach Todd Schoeffel admits that this year's version of the Seneca Valley girls basketball team isn't the easiest group to figure out.

But as the Raiders enter the New Year with a 4-0 mark in Section 3-AAAA play, it's a trait he's willing to accept.

"We probably had our worst practice of the season just before the North Allegheny game (Dec. 23)," said Schoeffel. "And then we go down there and beat them.

"All I know is when that ball goes into the air on the opening tip, these girls are ready to play."

It's the first time Seneca Valley has remained perfect through its first four section games since the 2000-01 season, putting the Raiders alone atop the section standings. Fox Chapel and Pine-Richland are both 3-1. Seneca Valley is currently 8-4 overall.

"At the start of the season, we thought we could do pretty well, but I don't think anybody thought we'd be 4-0 in the section," said junior shooting guard Tina Mangola.

When scouting the Raiders, don't look for a superstar averaging 20 points per game. For that matter, don't expect to see any player averaging in double figures on the scoreboard - you won't find one.

Sophomore forward Amanda Johnson currently leads the team with 8.5 points per game. Not far behind are four others: Ashley Turici (7.4), Kelsey Spencer (7.3), Chelsey Pavlick (6.5) and Mangola (6.0).

Johnson saw significant playing time last season as a freshman, averaging 4.4 points in 22 games.

"She does a lot of the little things out there on the floor," Schoeffel said. "She can step back and hit a 3 here and there and is one of (the best), if not the best, passers on the team.

"The biggest challenge with Amanda is keeping her in the game," Schoeffel said with a smile. "She has a tendency to get into foul trouble."

"Having so many girls who can go out and lead the team in scoring in a game really helps a lot," Johnson said.

"It's a big part of this team," Schoeffel said of the balanced scoring. "We don't have to rely on just one girl. Somebody could go out and have a bad night, but someone else is going to be right there to pick them up."

On the other end of the floor, the Raiders have proven to be a stingy group, especially in their four section games.

In wins over Shaler (43-42), Fox Chapel (52-38), North Hills (43-28) and North Allegheny (44-42), Seneca Valley has given up an average of just 38 points per game.

A big reason for that and the one constant Schoeffel has seen in all four wins is rebounding.

"We've had the rebounding advantage in three of those games," he said. "Fox Chapel outrebounded us, but we still ended up with 32 boards in that one."

Turici, who led the team last year in scoring with 8.3 points per game, has controlled the glass this season, averaging 8.8 rebounds every night to lead the squad.

The 5-foot-10 junior forward showed she can still score if needed, putting up a career-high 21 points in the victory against North Hills.

The Raiders' fortunes received a boost with the return of two players who were lost to injury last year.

Senior Val Johnson (right knee) and Spencer (right ankle) are healthy now and paying dividends.

Val Johnson, along with Mangola, leads the team with 2.5 assists per game from her point guard position.

"Val is a vocal leader for us," said Schoeffel. "And that helps when you have a quiet group of girls like we do."

At 5-feet-11, most people see Spencer listed as a guard on the roster and think it's a misprint, but it's not.

"I've been playing basketball since I was in first grade," said Spencer. "And I've always played guard."

All those years of practice have certainly paid off for the sophomore, who handles the ball well for a player her size and currently leads the team with 11 three-pointers made.

Pavlick, a junior who can play guard or forward, has provided the Raiders with a consistent scoring threat and rebounder off the bench. She's averaging nearly seven points and six rebounds every game.

"She is the ultimate sixth man," Schoeffel said. "I know every coach in this section would like to have her coming off their bench."

Schoeffel said his team's success is a mixture of things.

"Sure, we've been fortunate early in the season, but we're also playing pretty good basketball right now."

Seneca Valley's next test comes Monday in a home game against rival Butler.