JACKSON TWP — With Shaler scoring the final eight points of the first half, Seneca Valley coach Vic Giannotta was looking for a spark.

He got two.

Evan Mitro scored off a pair of steals early in the third quarter, then Nate Herrmann buried three consecutive 3-pointers to help the Raiders surge to an 18-point lead en route to a 52-38 victory over the Titans in Section 3-AAAA boys basketball action Tuesday.

"The game was decided on that run," said Giannotta. "We wanted (Shaler) to call the first timeout in the third quarter, and they did. They're an emotional team right now with what happened to Coach (Howie) Ruppert."

Ruppert died of a heart attack Dec. 11. In the team's first game after, it knocked top-ranked and section foe Central Catholic last week before falling to the Raiders.

Athletic director and assistant coach Paul Holzshu will guide the team the rest of the season.

The Titans did battle back from an early deficit, falling behind 22-10 with 4:44 left before halftime after the Raiders (5-3, 2-1) embarked on a 16-5 run.

"We thought we'd get some transition points against Shaler," said Giannotta. "They like to sit back in their zone."

The Titans (3-3, 1-1) scored the final eight points of the half as the Raiders couldn't counter with any offense to make it a 22-18 contest.

"We settled on some poor shots," Giannotta noted.

But in the second half, the Raiders assumed command of the game.

A C.J. Brown basket was followed eight seconds later off an inbounds steal, then dish to Mitro for another score and a 26-19 lead just 36 seconds into the quarter.

J.T. Schwartz, however, connected on a 3-pointer for the Titans to make it a five-point contest.

Mitro answered with a steal and score to start a 13-0 run. Herrmann's three treys were followed by a Matt Vogt bucket to give Seneca Valley a 39-21 lead with 2:48 left in the quarter.

The final score was the closest the Titans would get the rest of the evening.

"The game is about two ends of the floor, the offensive end and the defensive end," said Holzshu. "And the team that wins one of those usually wins and Seneca Valley controlled both ends."

Herrmann led all scorers with 14 points while Brown added 12 for Seneca Valley. The Titans were led by Schwartz, who had nine, all coming on three-pointers.

The win was the fourth in a row by the Raiders, shaking off an early 1-3 start.

"We're in a different mindset now," said Giannotta. "We're expected to win. We're not the underdogs. We want to win every section home game. That didn't happen against Central Catholic, though.

"It's role reversal. ... We play loose and have fun. The kids know that we aren't peaking yet. They know we can still be a better basketball team."

SHALER 38J.T. Schwartz 3 0-1 9, J.P. Holtz 2 2-2 6, Dan Taylor 1 0-0 2, Jesse Della Valle 2 2-2 6, Zach Kreke 2 2-2 8, Craig Feehan 0 1-2 1, Greg Friend 2 0-0 4, Brandon Bauer 1 0-0 2, Brian Batko 0 0-0 0, Josh Latini 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 7-9 38.

SENECA VALLEY 52Evan Mitro 4 0-0 8, Christian Durbin 0 0-0 0, Nate Herrmann 5 1-2 14, Matt Vogt 2 4-10 8, C.J. Brown 6 0-3 12, Dustin Anewalt 1 1-2 3, Joe Belechak 1 0-0 2, Dan Rohm 2 0-0 5, Marco Corona 0 0-0 0, Eric Davis 0 0-0 0, Alex Maxfield 0 0-0 0, Alan Heery 0 0-0 0, Pat Kulp 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 6-17 52.

Shaler 8 10 7 13—38Seneca Valley 13 9 18 12—523-point goals: Schwartz 3, Kreke 2; Herrmann 3, Rohm

JV: Seneca Valley, 45-42

Monday: Seneca Valley at Moon Tournament