ROSS TWP — Butler's Amy Achesinski moved her index finger from side to side and up and down in front of Maria Baroffio's face.

Baroffio's eyes followed the moving digit with precision.

Then, Achesinski did something unexpected.

"She asked me a math question," said Baroffio, who had just taken a tumble between two North Hills players, first banging her head off the floor, and then off of a knee of a falling Indian. "I told her, 'I'm not good at math. I don't know. Ask me an easier question.'"

With that, Achesinski was sure Baroffio was fine.

After the game, Butler was more sure than ever its team is A-OK, too — thanks to its inside and outside game that whipped North Hills 56-30 Monday night.

The quickest and surest path to victory for Butler has been from point A to point B — and vice versa.

A being Achesinski and B being Baroffio.

Achesinski, the 6-foot senior center, had 18 points in a little more than two quarters.

When things were clogged up in the paint, she dished out of the double team to Baroffio and others. Baroffio, a senior guard, scored 15 points and hit three 3-pointers.

Achesinski also had seven assists and nine rebounds.

"We've been working on our outside shot more," said Butler coach Dorothea Epps. "That's important, because we can work inside-out. When they double team Amy, we can kick it out and get a shot. Amy is a very good passer out of the post."

Nothing puts a smile on Achesinski's face more than when Baroffio is on from the outside.

Baroffio certainly likes that, too.

"After the first 3, I was kind of feeling it, I guess," Baroffio said. "Every time I see them doubling on Amy, I try to relocate because I know she's such a good passer. I just try to get open where she can see me."

Butler used the A and B approach to build a 20-6 lead after one quarter and a 17-point lead at the break.

That advantage ballooned to 31 late in the third quarter. By then, most of Butler's starters were safely on the bench.

For Baroffio, perhaps it was a little too late.

"I got hit in the head against Woodland Hills, and the doctor told me no matter what I do, don't get hit in the head again," Baroffio said. "So, what do I do? I get hit in the head again.

"I have a headache, but I'll be OK. No helmet for me yet."

The only headache Butler (7-1 overall, 1-0 on the section) had from North Hills (2-5, 0-2) was Gabrielle Marshall.

The sophomore forward hit seven of North Hills' 11 shots from the floor and scored 19 of its 30 points.

She was a prime example of what happens when a team has only one horse.

Butler, however, has many.

"We are balanced, and that's what we need to be," Achesinski said. "We can hit from the outside and score on the inside."

For Baroffio, her senior year has started out even better than she had hoped.

Last year, she yielded to outside shooter Julie Erhman and was constantly reminded by the coaches to shoot more.

"I kind of knew Erhman was the main 3-point shooter last year, so I kind of let her have it," Baroffio said. "This year, I'm more confident in myself. I know now I have to shoot the ball when I'm open."

BUTLER 56Rachel Barry 0-4 0-0 0, Olivia Bresnahan 1-7 6-7 8, Elizabeth Schultz 0-1 0-0 0, Amy Achesinski 7-11 4-5 18, Maria Baroffio 6-7 0-0 15, Karissa King 2-6 0-0 6, Erica Miller 0-2 0-0 0, Jenna Manuel 2-3 2-2 7, Becky Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Katherine Sylvia 1-1 0-0 2, Rachel Boutt 0-1 0-0 0, Kayla Gilliland 0-0 0-0 0, Ashley Onufrak 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals: 19-43 12-14 56

NORTH HILLS 30Katie Wilson 0-6 0-0 0, Gabrielle Marshall 7-12 5-7 19, Allison Wahl 1-4 0-0 3, Bethany Alabek 1-2 0-0 2, Jamie Harkness 0-4 1-2 1, Juli O'Connell 0-1 0-0 0, Brittney Fries 0-2 0-0 0, Leigha Zangaro 0-2 1-2 1, Christine Harding 2-2 0-0 4, Maureen McDonough 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals: 11-37 7-11 30

Butler 20 14 16 6—56North Hills 6 11 5 8—303-point goals: Baroffio 3, King 2, Manuel.

JV: Butler 38-13

Thursday: Butler at Shaler