Under
pressure
Golden
Tornado defense cracks Knoch in victory
BUTLER TWP — It's hard to score if you don't get a shot.
Just ask the Knoch girls basketball team.
The Butler defense was smothering and stifling Monday night, holding the
Knights without a field goal attempt for a seven-minute span in the second half
on the way to a 63-32 win.
"We're not going to see a defensive team like Butler all year," said
Knoch coach Curt Vasas.
It's a good thing, too, as the Knights might have nightmares for weeks about
this one.
After Knoch cut the Butler lead to 13-11 late in the first quarter, the Golden
Tornado defense went to work, swirling like a cyclone as it sucked up every
loose ball, errant pass and poor dribble.
By the time Knoch's Regina Robb attempted a twisting, off-balance shot that
barely grazed the rim with 2:50 remaining in the second quarter for the
Knights' first shot attempt since late in the first quarter, Butler had turned
a two-point lead into a 31-13 lead.
The only two Knoch points came on free throws.
"Defense is always going to be our bread and butter," said Butler
coach Dorothea Epps. "I challenged them because I knew this game was a
trap-type game for us. I give (Knoch) a lot of credit. They came out
fighting."
For Knoch (1-2), the game was more about gauging its progress.
Last year, the Knights struggled while breaking in young talent. This year,
with that young group a year older and much wiser, Vasas is expecting a
bounceback year.
Except for that seven-minute stretch, Vasas said his team played well.
"There were parts of the game I thought we played very well," Vasas
said. "Obviously, there were times when we wish we would have executed
better, but I think we got something out of tonight."
Mainly, a go-to player.
Laura Gray scored 20 of the Knights' 32 points and was the only consistent
scoring threat for Knoch.
Meanwhile,Butler (3-0) was spreading the wealth.
Nine players scored at least one bucket for Butler, led by Jenna Manuel, who
scored 14 points — including three 3-pointers.
Olivia Bresnahan showcased her all-around game with 14 points, four steals and
several assists for the Golden Tornado.
Bresnahan was also a force on defense, an area the junior has put particular
emphasis on this season.
"We've challenged her," Epps said. "She's never been a bad
defender.She's been a good defender, but we want her to be a great defender.
We'll keep after her about working on the defensive end."
With Butler's style of defense, depth is important and, three games into the
season, it appears Epps has found some.
Sophomore Ali Sedwick came off the bench to score seven points and the Butler
reserves played significant minutes and pitched in 20 points.
"(Depth) is huge," Epps said. "It's huge.