Tornado runs away from GC
Butler opens with 77-51 win

By John Enrietto 
Eagle Sports Editor 

KITTANNING — Once Butler was able to run, it ran away. 
The Golden Tornado snapped a 6-6 tie with a 14-0 run in the first quarter Friday in the first round of the Armstrong Tip-Off Tournament. Their lead never left double digits from there in a 77-51 boys basketball victory over Grove City. 
“Once we got the big lead, we were able to start subbing guys in and keep pushing the ball,” Butler coach Matt Clement said. “And these guys really played together. 
“There is some great chemistry on this team. Nobody's worried about getting his. They find the open guy and go.” 
Butler had a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes, necessitating a quick timeout by Grove City coach Jeff Loughry. But after the break, the Tornado went on their 14-0 run. 
“They jumped on us again,” Loughry said. “There's not much you can do. You can't call a timeout every time.” 
Butler led 40-22 at halftime and its lead peaked at 75-45 when Andrew Yonker drained a 3-pointer with 1:37 to play. He became the seventh Tornado player to sink a trey in the contest. 
The Tornado shot 62 percent from the field and sank nine of 19 3-point shots. 
“Connor Ollio hitting nine of 11 shots helped that percentage, but it's been a long time since Butler's had a team that can shoot 50 percent from out there,” Clement said of the 3-point shooting. 
Butler produced 24 assists on its 31 field goals as well. 
“That is a proud team statistic,” Clement said. 
Ollio scored 21 points in leading four Butler players in double figures. Kaden Rock scored 15 points, hitting three treys. Jace Stutz had 11 points and eight assists, Tyler Frederick 10 points and nine rebounds. 
Joel Stutz contributed four assists and three steals, Luke Michalek four assists and three steals. 
Butler enjoyed a 25-17 edge in rebounding. 
“Tyler really pounded the boards hard in the second half,” Clement said. “He's our only player back with a lot of varsity experience, so this was a good start for us.” 
Grove City shot 50 percent from the floor, but had a hard time staying with the Tornado's up-tempo game. 
“That's a good team and they're deep,” Loughry said. “Obviously, we'd prefer to play 5-on-5 basketball against them, but when they pressure you like that, you have to take advantage and convert on the odd breaks down the floor when you get them. 
“If you don't, you know they're gonna come back the other way and jam it down your throat. We didn't convert enough.” 
Brendan Record paced the Eagles with 17 points. Martin Beatty netted eight while Kaiden Young had five rebounds and four assists. Freshman Logan Lutz had three steals. 
“We're a young team and I'm still not sure who's going to play in what role,” Loughry said. “That will be a work in progress for us. 
“But I'll tell you ... Butler looks like a team that can win Section 3.” 
BUTLER 77 
Jordan Bailey 0-0 0-0 0, Damien Pickett 1-1 0-0 2, Kaden Rock 6-10 0-0 15, Luke Michalek 1-3 0-0 3, Kelley Kuharic 1-1 0-0 3, Jace Stutz 4-8 2-2 11, Andrew Yonker 1-2 0-0 3, Ian McCarrier 0-0 0-0 0, Jason Gray 0-1 0-0 0, Tyler Frederick 4-8 2-4 10, Connor Ollio 9-11 2-2 21, Joel Stutz 2-2 0-0 4, Jacob Kradel 1-1 0-0 2, Jefferson Ford 1-3 0-0 3 . Totals: 31-51 6-9 77. 
GROVE CITY 51 
Kaiden Young 3-7 0-0 6, Kameron Patterson 1-2 0-0 3, Andrew Mason 1-2 0-0 2, Tanner Glenn 2-4 0-0 5, Martin Beatty 4-7 0-3 8, Austin Doody 1-1 0-0 2, Brendan Record 5-13 5-7 17, Logan Lutz 2-4 0-2 4, Brayden Martin 1-1 0-0 2, Kyle Barger 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 21-42 5-9 51. 
Butler 20 20 19 18 — 77 
Grove City8 14 15 14 — 51 
3-point goals: Rock 3, Michalek, Kuharic, Ja. Stutz, Yonker, Ollio, Ford; Patterson, Glenn, Record 2