SHALER TWP — Seneca Valley boys basketball team has come so far in the past few seasons under coach Vic Giannotta.

On Wednesday, the Raiders just couldn't go any further.

Dan Wirkowski's weaving layup with four seconds left broke a 43-all tie and sent the Titans to a 47-43 Section 3-AAAA victory.

A win against Shaler would have gone a long way toward helping the Raiders grab a WPIAL playoff berth, which would have been their first since the 1996-97 season.

The Raiders (12-10, 4-8) can still qualify for a playoff spot if Butler beats New Castle and North Allegheny beats North Hills Friday to force a fourth-place tie.

Seneca Valley held a one-point lead after each of the first three quarters, but three consecutive turnovers led to three Titans scores in the first 51 seconds of the fourth frame to give Shaler (16-7, 7-4) a 34-28 lead.

Shaler built the lead to 40-32 before the Raiders mounted a comeback.

Kevin Mayberry answered with a basket, then nailed a 3-pointer to pull Seneca Valley to within three at 40-37.

Over the next 2Z\x minutes, the Titans sank 3 of 6 free throw attempts while the Raiders alternated each of those with a Mayberry bucket, two Pat Heery free throws and a layup by John Fitzpatrick, respectively, the latter tying the game at 43 with 1:19 remaining.

Shaler held the ball for one final shot, using a timeout with 15.9 seconds left to set a play for Wirkowski.

"We were going to take the last shot," said Shaler coach Howie Ruppert. "The first time, they knocked the ball out of bounds. The second time, Dan had the opportunity. Dan was just hard to stop."

Wirkowski, who dribbled into the paint and drove around a pair of Raiders players for the score, finished with a game-high 19 points.

"We came back and tied the game," said Giannotta. "Shaler knew what they wanted to do and held the ball. (Wirkowski) got the ball and scored. He's a good player

Seneca Valley called a timeout and tried a full-court pass, but John Litwin caught the ball and was fouled by Mayberry.

Litwin made one of two free throws and the Raiders called another timeout. Another deep pass was caught by Wirkowski, who made one of two free throws to account for the final score.

The Raiders were plagued by committing 24 turnovers.

"I think we played very good defense," said Ruppert. "We forced 20-something turnovers. We have to play good defense because we struggle scoring."

Whether or not the Raiders reach the postseason is out of their hands, but the team has made positive strides this season.

"To come where we came from is good, but it's not where we want to be," said Giannotta. "Our expectations are to make the playoffs."

Heery led the Raiders with 15 points and Mayberry added 14. Litwin also chipped in with 11 points for the Titans.

SENECA VALLEY 43Gabe Grinder 0 0-0 0, Kevin Mayberry 6 1-1 14, Pat Heery 6 2-3 15, C.J. Brown 1 1-3 3, John Fitzpatrick 3 1-2 7, Kevin Rohm 0 0-0 0, John Bryant 0 0-0 0, Shawn Eagle 1 2-2 4, Jarrett Shotts 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 17 7-11 43.

SHALER 47Dan Wirkowski 6 7-10 19, Eddie Sauer 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Kohan 1 2-3 4, Ben Altmeyer 4 0-0 9, John Litwin 4 3-6 11, Dennis Kane 0 0-0 0, Matt Pendleton 0 0-0 0, Kevin Barry 0 2-2 2, Greg Dunn 0 0-0 0, Jesse Della Valle 0 2-2 2.

Totals: 15 16-23 47.

Seneca Valley 10 10 8 15—43Shaler 9 10 8 20—473-point goals: Heery; Altmeyer

Friday: McKeesport at Seneca Valley