Tayt Lucas scores 23, Butler boys basketball wins fifth straight vs Bishop Canevin

December 10, 2024 Last Updated: December 10, 2024 01:47 PM Sports

Butler's Tayt Lucas (12) dribbles the ball against Indiana in a boys basketball game during the Freeport Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Freeport Middle School. Jared Todhunter / Special to the Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — The prep work is over. The real work begins.

Butler wrapped up its pre-section boys basketball schedule Monday night with an 80-67 home win over Bishop Canevin. The Golden Tornado (5-0) sank 12 3-pointers in the first half, then drove to the basket more in the final two quarters.

“When you come out running plays, set up open 3s and then make them, you look really good,” Butler coach Matt Clement said. “It was fun to see that, but you have to adjust as the game goes on.”

The Tornado, playing in their third game in four days, wound up shooting 63% from the floor, sinking 28 of 44 shots, including 14 treys.

The visiting Crusaders (1-3) extended farther on defense in the second half, forcing Butler to find other avenues to score.

“These first five games were all about getting ready for section, playing better and growing as a team,” Clement said. “I feel like we accomplished that. We’re still making mistakes and need to clean up some things, but I like where we’re at.”

Butler played without junior guard Stainton Forbes — who is day-to-day with a slightly bruised hip — and guard Andrew Gettinger fouled out with 3:42 remaining and Bishop Canevin in the middle of an offensive rally.

Tayt Lucas led Butler with 23 points, sinking seven 3-pointers, and added four assists. Ayden Andrews contributed 21 points, Gettinger 15 before fouling out. Kyle Casteel, who took Forbes’ spot in the starting lineup, had 10 rebounds.

“Tayt, Ayden and Andrew were the glue that held this game together,” Clement said. “They know that’s their role. That’s what they’re supposed to do. With Stainton out and Andrew fouling out, those are two of our best guys. ... Other players had to step into the mix more.

“We have a bunch of new dudes this year, and it’s fun watching them come together. Mavrik (Clement) had some big assists, Tanner Pry hit a clutch 3. ... We needed those contributions.”

Using the early avalanche of treys, Butler took a 44-27 lead into halftime. The Tornado never trailed all night and enjoyed a 20-point lead midway through the second quarter.

The Crusaders got as close as 72-65 when Raukeem Hawkins sank a 3-pointer with two minutes to play. But the Tornado sank all 10 of their free throws in the final quarter to stave off the rally.

The Tornado had 19 turnovers, many of them in the second half to help fuel Bishop Canevin’s run.

“I know their coach well,” Clement said. “I knew they weren’t going to go away.”

“They hurt us with those early 3s,” Crusaders coach Aaron McGee said. “We had to come out in the second half and get more aggressive closing on their shooters. We did that, got some turnovers and were able to get back in the game.”

Drew Allen paced the Crusaders with 21 points. Damar Olds had 12 points and five steals, Jackson Maddix 11 points and three assists.

Butler opens section play Friday, hosting North Allegheny.

“Our section is always so competitive, so good,” Clement said. “Those games are never easy. It’s stressful for me, but I welcome the competition at the same time.”

BISHOP CANEVIN 67

Damar Olds 4-84-4 12, Raukeem Hawkins 3-11 0-0 8, Jackson Maddix 4-8 3-3 11, Drew Allen 9-15 3-4 21, Daniel Guzman 3-4 3-3 9, Lamier Wade 3-4 0-2 6, Eddie Benton 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 26-51 13-67 67.

BUTLER 80

Ayden Andrews 7-11 4-4 21, Jace Gratzmiller 1-1 4-4 6, Kyle Casteel 3-4 0-0 6, Tayt Lucas 7-15 2-2 23, Andrew Gettinger 6-8 0-0 15, Mavrik Clement 3-5 0-0 6, Tanner Pry 1-1 0-0 3, Zanye Gregory 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 28-44 10-10 80.

Bishop Canevin 16 11 20 20 — 67

Butler 27 17 15 21 — 80

3-point goals: Butler 14 (Lucas 7, Andrews 3, Gettinger 3, Pry); Bishop Canevin 2 (Hawkins 2)

JV: Butler, 55-40 (BC: Austin Wang 10, B: Jayden Wilbert 19, Cael Hanley 12)