The Seneca Valley boys’ basketball team begins its season at Mars High School against the Penn Hills Indians.

After a solid performance last year, making it to the semifinals of the  WPIAL Playoffs and an appearance in the state playoffs, the team hopes to continue the winning this year.  Unfortunately, they suffered the loss of six seniors including Easton Bazzoli, who currently plays for Cedarville University in Ohio.  However, returning for the Raiders will be seniors Matt Darby, Josh Bauer, Michael Smith, and Bryce Schnaterly.

The team is confident in the way they will perform this year, as junior forward Zach Snyder reinforced.  “We believe we can be very good.  We have been practicing very hard and put in a lot of time in the off season as well.”

This hard work is at the control of head coach Victor Giannotta, who is heading into his ninth season in the position.  Also entering his ninth season in his respective position is assistant coach Joe Venasco.

The boys’ season was a productive one, but ended disappointingly.  In the WPIAL semifinals, they suffered a loss to New Castle by a score of 71-46 and in the PIAA state playoffs, they lost to Erie Cathedral Prep with a final score of 79-54.  These are two losses that won’t soon be forgotten by the Raiders.

The Raiders finished fourth in their section last year, with a section record of 8-6 and an overall record of 15-7.  The section is an impressive one, and includes New Castle, North Allegheny and Hampton, who all had at least 18 wins last season.  This year, there will be no lack of competition if previous years are any indication.

The Raiders get off to a non-section start against Penn Hills and Brashear and then will face Shaler to kick off section play.  They will play fourteen games against section opponents, two against each team, out of their eighteen scheduled games (excluding the Montour Holiday Tournament and playoffs).

The team is hopeful for this season, based on what they have seen in practice.  According to Snyder, “We are playing very well together and looking very fast and athletic.”  They hope to get off to a fast start, as they are playing weaker teams in the rankings.

As for the fans, they can expect high energy at home games, as one can be sure that the student section will be packed with students supporting their classmates.