SENECA - It was the rematch everyone was waiting for between Ridge and Valley Conference archrivals Seneca and North Crawford.

The Trojans won the first game defeating Seneca on their home court early this season. This time it was Seneca’s turn, as they defeated North Crawford on their home court 57-47–but this was no ten-point game until the end.

In fact, the score was tied 23-23 at halftime. North Crawford led 22-19 with five minutes to go in the first half–it was about the last time they would have the lead in the game.

Coming out for the second half, Seneca was ready. They scored the first points of the second half to take the lead 25-23 and expanded it from there.

With a little more than 10 minutes left in the game, Seneca led North Crawford by 10 points 36-26. However, the Trojans weren’t done yet.

It was time for North Crawford’s shooters to get hot. Stephen Munson and Quentin Lathrop led the charge with some nice three-point shooting.

With 7:34 left in the game, the Trojans had cut Seneca’s lead to just one point 38-37.

Then, Seneca sprang to life to take the lead 40-37 and control of the game.

It was still within reach for North Crawford with 3:20 to go and Seneca leading by just five points 48-43. 

Sometime after that, Seneca’s leading scorer Ashton Swanson rammed home a powerful wide open dunk and the curtain started to drop for the Trojans.

Although Seneca won handily in the end, the leading scorer in the game was North Crawford’s Stephen Munson who scored 27 points including five three-pointers. Munson also led his team in rebounding with eight.

On the Seneca side it was Ashton Swanson who led his team in scoring with 23 points. He also grabbed 12 rebounds to secure another double-double for himself this season.

What helped push Seneca over the top in this one was some balanced scoring behind Swanson. It started with Kadin Wallin, who scored 16 points and had eight rebounds.

Seneca sophomore guard Evan Payne scored nine points and led the team in assists with 11 and steals with three.

Rounding out the scoring for Seneca were Brennan Wallin and Shawn Kirchhoff with four points each; and Tyson Sparks with one point.

North Crawford senior guard Quentin Lathrop scored nine points on three three-pointers. Rounding out the scoring for North Crawford were Garrett Finnell, Devlin Smith and Deekin Smith, who each scored three points on a three-point shot. Sever Stovey scored two points in this game.

It might not be the last time these two teams meet this season. North Crawford will host the Cassville Comets in a first round regional game on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The winner of that game will play Seneca on Friday, Feb. 19 at Seneca, who will have a first round bye in the post-season tournament as will Ridge and Valley Conference Champion Wauzeka-Steuben.