Tigers Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Raiders, 80-65

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The North Allegheny Tigers clinched a playoff spot out of Section 3-AAAA on Friday night with an 80-65 victory over the Seneca Valley Raiders in the MSA Sports & Quad-A Conference Boys Basketball Game of the Week. The Tigers jumped to a 43-26 lead by halftime and held off the Raiders comeback efforts in the second half for their 10th consecutive win over Seneca Valley. The Raiders, who are also vying for a playoff position in the section, trimmed their deficit to single digits twice but could come no closer than within seven points of the Tigers in the second half. Despite the loss, the Raiders maintain a two game lead over North Hills and Pine-Richland for the section’s final playoff berth with four games remaining.

The Tigers utilized their deep bench with eight different players scoring in the victory and four finishing in double figures. Senior guard Joe Mancini scored a team-high 15 points and was 3 of 8 from beyond the arc, posting 12 of his 15 in the second half. Junior Will Sandherr knocked down 3 of 5 three-point attempts on his way to a 14 point night.  Senior Mike Carter totaled 11 for the Tigers.

For Seneca Valley,6-6 junior Zach Snyder was held scoreless in the first half but helped the Raiders comeback hopes in the second half with 16 points.  Senior Mike Smith joined Snyder with 16 points and each totaled nine rebounds.  Junior Dakota Topf added 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting from the field.

Important to the Tigers victory was the play down low of Elijah Zeise.  The senior guard/forward neutralized Raiders big man Snyder in the first half and posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.  Zeise also led NA with four blocks and three steals on the evening.  For his efforts, Zeise was named the Player of the Game by the Quad-A Network.

With the win, North Allegheny improves to 14-2 overall and 8-2 in Section 3.  Seneca Valley falls to 9-7 overall and 5-5 in section play.  The Tigers will visit Butler on Tuesday at 7:30 pm.  The Raiders take on Beaver Area on Sunday afternoon before a home section matchup with New Castle on Tuesday night.

To hear our postgame interview with NA head coach Dave DeGregorio, click here.

Baldwin at Upper St. Clair Game Summary

SCORE BY QUARTERS1st2nd3rd4thOTFINAL
Baldwin1514614958
Upper St. Clair11814161463
Baldwin - Mandi Johnston 28 pts
Upper St. Clair - Diandra Conwell 25 pts, Rachel Mazzie 15 pts, Madison Serio 10 pts