Butler guard Luke Michalek drives the lane in a WPIAL matchup against Plum at Butler High School Tuesday.

BUTLER TWP — Instead of an opening tip, they might as well use a starter's gun.

Butler is turning basketball games into track meets — and with plenty of success.

The Golden Tornado (4-0) won for the fourth time in five days Tuesday night, jumping out to a 19-6 lead in the first seven minutes and cruising to a 66-43 win over Plum (3-1).

“I was impressed by the energy and speed we had tonight with this being that fourth game in five nights,” Butler coach Matt Clement said. “This being our first home game had a lot to do that. Playing in front of a home crowd always pumps up the adrenaline.”

Butler has yet to trail on the scoreboard at any point this season. The Tornado begin section play Friday night, hosting North Hills.

The Indians beat Butler twice last season.

“They've gotten us three of the last four times we've played them,” Clement said. “That game will be our biggest test so far.”

Butler's recipe for victory has been basic: Grab the ball and go.

The Tornado ran out to its biggest lead at 60-29 with 1:27 left in the third quarter before finally slowing down.

“We like to run, too ... but they out-ran us,” Plum coach Hart Coleman said. “Those two guards (Luke Michalek and Ethan Morton) are pretty good and very fast. We wanted to stop their penetration, but then they kick the ball out to the wings, where they have guys who can shoot.”

Morton paced the Tornado with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Michalek contributed 11 points, seven assists, four steals and four rebounds to the cause.

“Our strength is those two playmakers,” Clement said. “When Luke and Ethan are crashing the boards and getting rebounds, we're tough to stop.

“Luke was in another gear tonight. He was really playing fast. Our team has gotten better with each game and so has he.”

Butler enjoyed a 36-19 advantage on the boards.

“We're not very big,” Coleman said. “It's hard to stop someone from breaking down-court if you're not getting rebounds.”

Michalek said he's not surprised his team is playing so well — just that it's playing so well so early.

“Ethan's back and that's a big part of it,” the senior guard said. “The other thing is we've been able to play our game and that's get out and run.

“We're off to a good start and this style of play is working for us. Fingers crossed, I hope it continues.”

Tarik Taoufik scored 12 points and grabbed three rebounds for Butler. It was his third double-figure scoring effort of the year.

Lamar Whiting paced Plum with 20 points. Connor Moss, a freshman, had eight points, five rebounds and three assists.

“We're a young team and I told these kids they're going to go through some adversity,” Coleman said. “It's all in how they handle it.”