The Toughest Road, The Longest Mile Is it really over?
It can't be. You're kidding, right? You mean to tell me that the season's over? Amazingly it is and unfortunately it ended with a loss to the number one team in the state, Upper St. Clair. Despite the loss (and the iffy officiating--my opinion) the Lady Tornado had a fabulous season and have nothing to be ashamed of. The other thing that I can't believe is that Maura Connelly, Holly Geibel, and Kim Nowakowski are seniors and will be graduating in June. These girls seem, to me anyway, that they've been around forever. These girls have been something special. They don't know what's it like not be playing in March, having advanced to the PIAA playoffs every year of their tenure. They are possibly the most successful senior class in the past 20 years at Butler. Connelly was a leader on the court like no other, hitting passes on the button and clutch free throws down the stetch. Geibel knows exactly where to play and can play anywhere connecting with big three-pointers when her teammates need them most. And Nowa, oh Nowa. The Bowling Green recruit has cemented her place in Butler sports history by becoming the fifth-leading scorer in Tornado girls' basketball with 1135 career points. I'm seeing some hardware in these girls futures, and I don't mean the kind you plug into your PC either. Next year our favorite ladies continue to evolve. Heather Spangler has really turned it on showing that see can play much bigger than her 5'4" frame might suggest. Danielle Koehring will be counted on to move in to the space vacated by Nowakowski and she definitely has the tools to do it. Kelly Miller was the very pleasant surprise at the guard position this year and will probably be a viable point guard possibility. The other two positions could be for Maria Klutinoty, who played very well when called upon this year; Sara Pelusi, a player with the toughness and grit of a Rachel Farabee; or possibly Kate DeGeorge, who has showed some true potential to play the 2 or 3 spot. No matter who is in the starting lineup next season, Coach Jonna Burke will have this team ready for another run at the playoffs. Good luck to the three seniors- -you will be sorely missed.

We're Very Close to Our Destiny One more year.
Only three players graduate, including one starter. One more year. Coach Joe Lewandowski has begun to put his touch on the basketball program. One more year. Although this past season wasn't the smoothest of rides for the boys basketball team, all of the pieces on in place for a playoff run next season with almost the entire team returning. Such players as Joel Rehm, Dan Andreassi, Adam Monday, Jon Galante, Calvin Littlejohn, and Bobby Freshwater are just some of the keys to success for the Tornado. But the "master key" is 6'2" Tyrell Sales. One the most dominant players in Section 3 this season could be the best of the best next year. That all depends, however, on another sport. As many know football is Sales's collegiate future. It's all up to his college football coach, whoever it may be, whether he will be playing on the hardwood next year. I for one hope he will. This team has team has a very bright future. That future is in the hands on Lewandowski and his coaching staff. Due to the countless combinations used this season, I won't begin to speclate on next season's starting five. Whoever it is will have a very real opportunity to return Butler to promised land--the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs.