ROSS TWP — Confidence can be a huge asset in sports — if you have the play to back it up.

The Seneca Valley boys basketball team brought both to the court Friday night.

The Raiders received 18 points from C.J. Brown and 12 from Dan Rohm in support of a strong defensive effort in a 49-38 WPIAL Quad A first-round playoff win over Fox Chapel at North Hills High School.

"No disrespect to Fox Chapel, Coach (Ben) O'Connor is one of the best in the WPIAL," said SV coach Vic Giannotta. "But our kids fully expected to win tonight."

The Raiders (15-7) will play the survivor of Saturday's game between Penn Hills and Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals at a time, date and site to be determined.

SV led most of the second half and entered the final quarter with a 35-26 edge.

The Foxes (14-9) opened the period with a 7-0 run to cut their deficit to two points before the Raiders received a clutch 3-pointer from sophomore guard Christian Durbin for a 38-33 lead with 4:16 to play.

"I give credit to our kids for coming back, but for a sophomore to step up and hit that shot, that was huge for them," said O'Connor.

Brown added a three-point play nearly two minutes later for a 41-33 lead and the Foxes, needing a run to get back in the game, remained cold from the floor.

"It feels great," said Brown, who had two thunderous dunks in the game, including one just before the third quarter expired. "We've been working out since the summer and we don't want this to end."

After a decent shooting performance in the first quarter, Fox Chapel made just 10-of-37 field goals (27 percent) the rest of the game.

Dave Martin, a 6-foot-6 senior center for the Foxes, scored six points in the first quarter, after which his chances were limited and he ended the game with eight points.

"We did a great job of keeping him off the offensive glass, too," Giannotta said.

SV drained seven 3-pointers, including four by Rohm, a pair by Durbin and one by Nate Herrmann.

Senior guard Harrison Smith led Fox Chapel with 15 points, including 10 in the second half.

SV's 2007-08 season ended on North Hills' floor with a tough loss to Upper St. Clair in a WPIAL first-round game. In fact, the Raiders have a habit of struggling on this particular court.

But not this time.

"No matter what happens the rest of the way, we're going to be a tough out," said Giannotta. "We're playing tough defense."

"Coach Giannotta has changed the whole environment surrounding Seneca Valley basketball," said O'Connor. "I don't see any reason why they can't make a run."

FOX CHAPEL 38Alex Vargo 4 0-0 9, Harrison Smith 5 3-3 15, Sam Bass 1 0-0 2, Dave Martin 4 0-0 8, Brett Goldstein 0 1-2 1, Sean Griffin 1 0-0 3, Colin Hartford 0 0-0 0, Kevin Wolfendale 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 4-5 38.

SENECA VALLEY 49Evan Mitro 1 3-5 5, Dustin Anewalt 0 2-2 2, Christian Durbin 2 2-3 8, Nate Herrmann 1 1-2 4, Dan Rohm 4 0-0 12, C.J. Brown 7 4-6 18, Joe Belechak 0 0-0 0, Matt Vogt 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 12-18 49.

Fox Chapel 12 4 10 12—38Seneca Valley 10 9 16 14—493-point goals: Fox Chapel 4 (Smith 2, Vargo, Griffin); Seneca Valley 7 (Rohm 4, Durbin 2, Herrmann).

Feb. 20 or 21: quarterfinals-Seneca Valley vs. Penn Hills-Upper St. Clair winner