Slow Start Trips Up Girls in Loss to Butler

The girls team learned a tough lesson about Section 3-AAAA basketball competition in a 45-34 loss at Butler Monday night.

“When you’re playing on the road in this section, you can’t spot anybody any points,” Seneca Valley coach Rob Lombardo said.

Seneca Valley fell behind 18-5 at the start of the game, but held Butler to three points in the second quarter.

“We fought our way back and were down five (22-17) at the half, but Butler made their free throws coming down the stretch," Lombardo said.

“We were flat at the start of the game."

Seneca Valley cut the deficit to 38-34 with two minutes remaining in the game, but Butler held onto the lead the rest of the way.

Seneca Valley closed out the first half of section play at 1-5 and 5-8 overall.

Butler, Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland all finished the first half of league competition at 1-5.

Seneca Valley failed to place a scorer in double figures, but sophomore guard Karlei Fronzaglio, senior guard Alyssa Miller and junior guard Mary Kate Fullerton all had six points.

Sophomore guard Amanda Geiger and freshman forward Abby Trzeciak each scored five points.

Seneca Valley played without its leading scorer, junior forward , who competed in an Amateur Athletic Union volleyball tournament over the weekend. Karika also is expected to miss the Raiders’ next game.

The Raiders were coming off a 65-44 to playoff contender North Allegheny last Thursday night.

Seneca Valley opens the second half of section play on Thursday evening at , one of the league’s toughest road sites. Oakland Catholic (6-0, 9-3) remains unbeaten in section play.