Raiders endure another heartbreaking loss
JACKSON TWP — Tuesday night’s non-section game was a microcosm of the season thus far for Seneca Valley’s boys basketball team.
The Raiders stayed with visiting Baldwin throughout, but found themselves on the wrong end of a close game at the end of the night.
Down by three points but with possession, the Raiders turned the ball over while attempting to find an open player from 3-point range in the waning seconds.
Moments later, James Wesling gave the Highlanders a five-point edge with a pair of free throws.
A 3-pointer at the buzzer from SV’s Connor Oros put the final score at 54-52.
The Raiders (1-5) have lost five games by a combined 18 points.
“We try to emphasize the positives,” said SV coach Kevin Trost. “We’re disappointed with the record, but not with the effort the kids are giving every night.”
The Highlanders opened up a 38-30 lead late in the third quarter and the Raiders spent the next five minutes chipping away at the deficit.
Andrew Roy’s bucket with 4:36 remaining in the game knotted the score at 46. But Nathan Richards put the Highlanders up for good with a basket moments later.
“We’re defending and rebounding, but struggling to score,” said Trost. “When you struggle to score, an 8-0 run by the other team feels more like a 15-0 run.”
Treys from Oros, Luke Lawson and Tyler Pepin helped the Raiders take a slim 24-22 lead into halftime.
Baldwin evened its record at 4-4.
“Every game we’ve lost this year, we’ve had a chance to win,” said Highlanders coach Jeff Ackermann. “We needed this one and I feel for Seneca because they’re in the same boat.”
Nathan Wesling led Baldwin with 18 points.
Roy and Lawson both tallied 15 points for the Raiders, who host Penn-Trafford on Thursday.
BALDWIN 54
Nathan Richards 4 0-0 10, Nathan Wesling 7 0-1 18, James Wesling 1 7-7 9, Christian Forgacs 2 0-0 4, Caden Cherico 1 0-0 2, Anthony Cherico 2 0-0 4, Matt Schenk 3 0-0 7. Totals: 20 7-8 54.
SENECA VALLEY 52
Andrew Roy 6 2-4 15, Connor Oros 2 0-0 6, Luke Lawson 6 2-5 15, Tyler Pepin 3 0-0 7, Aiden Lyczek 2 0-0 4, Jackson Wetzel 0 1-2 1, Kai West 0 1-2 1, Esheza Okponobi 1 0-0 3. Totals: 20 6-13 52.
Baldwin 13 9 18 14 — 54
Seneca Valley 10 14 13 15 — 52
3-point goals: Baldwin 7 (N.Wesling 4, Richards 2, Schenk); Seneca Valley 6 (Oros 2, Roy, Lawson, Pepin, Okponobi)
Thursday: Penn-Trafford at Seneca Valley
