Seneca Valley’s Ryan Priester (23) had 17 points on five 3-pointers in Saturday’s PIAA Class 6A first-round loss to Red Lion. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Seneca Valley was hoping to stay a little longer.

The Raiders — playing in their first PIAA Class 6A boys basketball tournament game since 2013 — dropped a 69-62 decision at Red Lion in the first round Saturday afternoon.

The Lions (24-5) improved to 16-0 on their home floor this season.

“We got off to a good start and battled hard all day,” SV coach Kevin Trost said. “We just couldn't get over the hump once we fell behind.”

The Raiders (14-12) led 16-10 after the first quarter, but were outscored 21-9 in the second period. Red Lion scored the first two buckets of the third quarter, but never pushed the lead higher than 10 the rest of the way.

Ben Martin and Owen Flay led Red Lion with 19 points each. Isaiah Ogurcak netted 15 and Kade Shepherd 12.

“They played six kids, and those four scorers never left the floor,” Trost said. “They were hard to contain.”

Andrew Omasits paced the Raiders with 21 points, sinking 7 of 9 free throws. Ryan Priester scored 17, including five 3-pointers, while Owen Congdon scored 16 points.

Seneca Valley started five seniors this season: Congdon, Priester, Omasits, Nico Santapau and Jaxon Householder.

“We got off to a slow start this year, but played well in the second half of section season,” Trost said. “We wound up second in the section and got to play Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL semifinals.

“These kids never quit, never got down on themselves. They are fighters. “

Red Lion will face Upper St. Clair, a 66-52 winner over Cedar Crest, in the next round Wednesday.