Butler
defense stifles Shaler in 57-47 win
By John Enrietto
Eagle Sports Editor
BUTLER TWP - Shaler boys basketball coach Howie Ruppert has been around long
enough to know there's more than one way to win a game.
"Putting the ball in the hoop is one way," Ruppert said.
"Preventing the other team from putting it in the hoop is another."
Butler chose the latter method Thursday night, limiting the Titans (6-2, 2-2)
to a season-low 47 points while posting a 57-47 triumph.
The Golden Tornado built a 13-2 lead in the first quarter, but Shaler went on a
21-3 run to assume a 23-16 lead with
Richard Miller sank 3-pointers on three consecutive Shaler possessions to cap
the run.
"Miller was getting open and he knocked them down," Ruppert said.
"Then
'We normally shoot a lot of 3's. They did a good job of defending that
tonight."
The Tornado (5-4, 2-2) trailed 27-21 eary in the third quarter before going on
a 10-0 run. Jerrod Markle and Blake Anderson sank treys during the run, Sean
Lowry converted a lay-up off a fast-break and Noah Hartung hit a pair of free
throws.
"Anderson came up big with that three after not taking any shots for a
while," Butler coach Joe Lewandowski said.
Anderson came up bigger even later. With fellow guard Markle fouled out and
Butler nursing a 45-43 lead with 2:37 to play, the ball was put in his hands.
Shaler's Nick Sefscik missed the front end of a one-and-one with 1:43 remaining
after a Lowry lay-up hiked the Tornado lead to four.
Anderson then sank two free throws each at the 1:15, 55-second, 45-second and
33-second marks to build the margin to 10 and put away the win.
"The pressure was on him constantly and he handled the ball flawlessly,
then made every one of those foul shots," Lewandowski said. "I can't
say enough about that."
He couldn't say enough about his defense, either. Lowry started at forward in
place of Jade Burka and guarded Stu Anglum, Shaler's top scoring threat.
Anglum scored 33 points and sank seven treys in a 38-point win over North
Allegheny earlier this week. He scored 10 points, hit no treys and fouled out
Thursday.
Markle guard Sefscik, who scored 16 points and hit one 3-pointer.
"We never let them get into the sets they run for those two guys,"
Lewandowski said. "Markle chased Sefscik all over the court.
"Noah and Nate Hartung were excellent around the basket. Nate showed
leadership on the floor. And Burka was the loudest guy on the bench. Jade made
a big sacrifice tonight and his teammates knew it. This was a total team
win."
Anderson led Butler with 17 points. Noah Hartung added 13 points and six rebounds,
Nate Hartung 11 points and nine boards.
The Tornado had a 31-25 edge in rebounding. Butler had 15 turnovers to Shaler's
12.
"This was a physical game and the officials allowed it to be
physical," Ruppert said. "When you have a guy who can knock people to
the floor, that definitely favors Butler."
Miller led the Titans with 17 points and eight rebounds.
"I thought the officials called a great game," Lewandowski said.
"I was happy with it.
"This is a big win for us for a few reasons. We were coming off two
section losses in a row when we were in position to win both games. It squares
us at 2-2 going into the holiday. And it shows people we can beat good teams,
not just play with good teams.
"Believe me, Shaler is a good team. Coach Ruppert is one of the best
basketball coaches in Western Pennsylvania," Lewandowski added.
SHALER 47
Matt Davis 0-2 0-0 0, Nick Sefscick 5-13 5-7 16, Jim Kohan 0-0 0-0 0, Stu
Anglum 4-8 2-6 10, Craig Devinney 0-3 0-0 0, Brett Witkowski 2-9 0-0 4, Richard
Miller 5-10 4-4 17. Totals: 16-47 11-17 47
BUTLER 57
Nate Hartung 4-8 3-6 11, Noah Hartung 5-10 2-4 13, Jerrod Markle 3-6 0-0 8,
Adam Monday 0-0 0-0 0, Blake Anderson 3-6 9-10 17, Sean Lowry 3-6 2-2 8, Jade
Burka 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-36 16-22 57
3-point goals: Sefscik, Miller 3; Noah Hartung, Markle 2, Anderson 2
JV: Butler, 39-37 (B-Mike Pratkanis 14)