JACKSON TWP — The New Castle boys basketball team knew if it won its last two section games, it would qualify for the WPIAL playoffs for the 14th consecutive season under head coach John Sarandrea.

One down, one to go.

The Red Hurricanes blew open a once-close game against Seneca Valley, using a 17-7 edge in the third quarter to gain a 66-54 win Tuesday night.

New Castle (14-9, 7-6) will be playoff-bound if it beats Butler Friday night in the Section 3-AAAA finale for both teams.

"Any time you get a section win at this time of the year, it's a big one," said Sarandrea. "Now, we have Butler, and they're the only team in the section we haven't beaten at least once this season."

Seneca Valley trailed 35-28 at halftime and was still within striking distance.

"Being down seven going in at halftime, I felt pretty good," said SV coach Victor Giannotta. "But I don't know what happened in the third quarter.

"The five players they had out there just wanted it more than the five we had on the floor," he added.

New Castle's Daresse Henderson made a 3-pointer and a conventional three-point play in the opening minutes of the second half to help the Hurricanes build a 43-30 advantage. The Raiders never mounted a serious threat the rest of the game.

Henderson, who tallied 15 points, was one of three players for New Castle who had at least that many in the game.

Spencer Lane led the way with 22 points and Anthony Harvey offered 19.

"We've had several wins this season in which we've had as many as five players score in double figures," said Sarandrea. "But I thought the biggest key to the game tonight was the tough man-to-man defense we played. We made (SV) work for everything they got."

The Raiders committed 22 turnovers, including six in the third quarter, which is where the game was won.

"I give half the credit to New Castle for playing good defense," said Giannotta. "But the other half is on us. We didn't respond to anything in the second half."

Kevin Mayberry led SV with 14 points.

Seneca Valley (6-16, 1-12) has just one victory this season against Quad-A competition — a 49-33 win at New Castle Jan. 10.

"I've always said that you don't have time to celebrate a great win or pout over a tough loss," Sarandrea said. "That loss (to Seneca Valley) stung us a bit, no doubt. But we've had some hard-fought wins since then."

NEW CASTLE 66Daresse Henderson 5 4-5 15, Anthony Harvey 8 3-6 19, Nick Colella 2 2-4 7, Aaron Keys 1 0-0 2, Spencer Lane 10 1-1 22, Chris LaRocca 0 1-2 1, Dan DeJohn 0 0-0 0, Chris Richards 0 0-0 0, Mike Colella 0 0-0 0, Kei'Arie Stewart 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 11-18 66.

SENECA VALLEY 54Gabe Grinder 1 4-5 7, Kevin Mayberry 5 3-4 14, Sean Gress 1 0-0 2, Pat Heery 0 6-6 6, John Bryant 1 0-0 2, C.J. Brown 2 4-4 10, John Fitzpatrick 2 0-0 4, Shawn Eagle 1 0-0 2, Dave Monteleone 3 0-0 6, Ryan Turner 0 1-2 1, Tony Tresser, Kevin Rohm 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 18-21 54.

3-point goals: Lane, N. Colella, Henderson; Brown 2, Mayberry, Grinder.

JV: Seneca Valley 57-33

Friday: Seneca Valley @ Pine-Richland