Turnovers costly to SV
JACKSON TWP — There is a formula for hanging in against a defending WPIAL champion, but Victor Giannotta did not see it Wednesday night.
Seneca Valley's boys basketball coach witnessed his team commit 18 first-half turnovers and shoot just 27.7 percent (five-of-18) from the field in the third quarter, which is when undefeated New Castle pulled away in an 87-54 win on the Raiders' floor.
“We played hard, but lacked intensity,” Giannotta said following the game. “We ran into a buzzsaw.”
Seneca scored two quick baskets to open the second half — a 3-pointer from Matt Darby and a two-point basket from Zach Snyder — cutting the Red Hurricane lead to 44-30. But New Castle used the rest of the quarter to go on a 24-7 run, ending the competitive aspect of the contest.
Leading New Castle's effort was senior guard Anthony Richards, who scored a game-high 25 points, draining seven 3-pointers in the process. He helped his team get off to a fast start, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, after which New Castle led 22-14.
“Anthony always plays well, but his shot had been a little off the last few games,” said Red Hurricane coach Ralph Blundo. “When he's hitting from the outside, it extends defenses. In years past, he'd go several games without taking a shot from inside the 3-point line, but he made a few of those tonight. He's an excellent player.”
The Raiders' best chance to close in on New Castle came in the second quarter. The Hurricane (18-0, 11-0) made their first four field goal attempts of the period, then missed their next eight attempts. But Seneca was unable to capitalize. When New Castle's string of missed shots ended with Levar Ware's bucket with 3:10 left in the first half, the Hurricane led 33-20. The Raiders then found themselves on the short end of a 13-5 run before intermission.
“Against New Castle, you must try to limit their runs,” said Giannotta, “but it's tough when you turn the ball over as much as we did. There aren't enough timeouts in a game for that.”
Malik Hooker added 23 points for the victors. Snyder paced Seneca Valley (10-8, 5-6) with 17 points and Darby added 13.
New Castle has won two straight WPIAL titles (Class AAA in 2012 and Class AAAA last season). The program is now 74-2 in its last 76 games. Both losses have come in the state playoffs. But, as Blundo explained, the success has not affected his team's drive.
“The team's focus is what we're doing at that particular moment,” he said. “Whether it is practice, a film session or a game, that's what is most important to us. It's an effective mentality and somehow, we've been able to keep it the last couple of years.”
NEW CASTLE 87
Marquel Hooker 1 0-0 2, Drew Allen 4 1-2 11, Jake McPhatter 2 0-0 4, Robert Natale 2 0-0 5, Anthony Richards 9 0-0 25, Malik Hooker 11 1-2 23, Micah Fulena 1 0-0 3, Stew Allen 3 0-0 6, Levar Ware 4 0-0 8. Totals: 37 2-4 87.
SENECA VALLEY 54
Matt Darby 3 5-8 13, Bryce Schnatterly 1 1-1 3, Mike Smith 3 1-3 7, Josh Bauer 1 0-0 2, T.J. Holl 2 0-1 4, Dakota Topf 2 0-0 4, Zach Snyder 7 3-4 17, Chad Izenas 1 0-2 2, Matt Dramble 1 0-0 2, Sam Barbe 0 0-0 0, Jack Cook 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 10-19 54.
New Castle 22 22 24 19 — 87
Seneca Valley14 11 12 17 — 54
3-point goals: New Castle 11 (Richards 7, D. Allen 2, Natale, Fulena); Seneca Valley 2 (Darby 2).
JV: Seneca Valley 42-39
Friday: Pine-Richland at Seneca Valley
