How Butler girls basketball began season with road win
over Armstrong
November
30, 2024 Last Updated: December
01, 2024 02:46 PM Sports
MANOR TWP, Armstrong County — There wasn’t much for Mark Maier
not to like about his team’s debut.
The Butler girls basketball team dominated throughout against
host Armstrong in posting a 51-27 victory Saturday afternoon.
“Armstrong has just one starter back from last year’s team, so
we had no film on them and came into today blind as to what they were going to
do,” Maier said. “It was a good effort by us and most importantly, we got the
win, almost doubled them up (in points).”
A strong first quarter set the tone for the Golden Tornado. Four
different players scored on 7-of-14 shooting against the River Hawks’ zone
defense, including three baskets from senior point guard Sydney Patterson, and
Butler was up 18-4 after eight minutes of play.
“We did well with not turning the ball over (just two turnovers
in the first half),” Maier said. “If you’re not turning the ball over, you’re
getting shots, and if you’re a good shooting team, that’s a good combination.”
Butler's
Amelia McMichael shoots and scores during a girls basketball game against
Armstrong at Armstrong High School on Saturday, Nov. 30. Morgan Phillips/Butler
Eagle
Senior Amelia McMichael, the Tornado’s top scoring threat, began
the season with a 17-point effort. Patterson, who averaged 10 points per game
last year, scored six against the River Hawks. Malina McElroy added eight
points in the win.
“We’re hoping to have three girls average in double figures this
year, combining for about 37 or 38 (points) per game,” Maier said. “And if we
can have a few other players chip in with three or four every night, that’s the
output we need as a team.”
Armstrong was 23-6 last year, reaching the WPIAL Class 5A
championship game and the PIAA quarterfinals. Point guard Isabella Yancy is the
lone returning full-time starter from that squad. The team graduated Emma Paul,
a guard who put up an average of 21 points last year.
The River Hawks’ inexperience showed Saturday in the form of 22
turnovers and a 10-of-39 showing from the field.
Marlo Mellish, a part-time starter last year, led Armstrong with
14 points against Butler.
“All three of our seniors (Yancy, Mellish and Avery Hogan) have
taken on a leadership role, but there’s a lot of pressure on Isabella out
there, being the quarterback,” Armstrong coach Jim Callipare said. “She’s
feeling the brunt of the pressure and right now, there’s just not much help
around her.”
Butler's
Malina McElroy drives toward the net during a girls basketball game against
Armstrong at Armstrong High School on Saturday, Nov. 30. Morgan Phillips/Butler
Eagle
BUTLER 51
Malina McElroy 3 0-0 8, Cam Booher 2 3-6 7, Sydney Patterson 3
0-0 6, Amelia McMichael 7 0-0 17, Casey Clouse 1 2-4 4, Eva Stutz 1 0-0 3,
Ashton Huff 1 2-2 4, Emily Hoffer 1 0-0 2, Avery Maier 0 0-0 0, Emily Cornish 0
0-0 0. Totals: 19
7-12 51.
ARMSTRONG 27
Gemma Swartz 1 0-0 2, Avery Hogan 1 3-4 5, Marlo Mellish 5 1-2
14, Isabella Pawk 3 0-0 6, Amylia Gaiser 0 0-0 0, Isabella Yancy 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 4-6 27.
Butler 18 10 12 11 — 51
Armstrong 4 8 4 11 — 27