BUTLER TWP — Trends past and present are on Butler's side as the Golden Tornado prepare to host the annual Butler Christmas Basketball Tournament Tuesday and Wednesday night in the high school gym.

Butler's boys have been part of this event annually since 1995, with the exception of 2003, when it was solely a girls tourney.

The Tornado boys have failed to reach the championship game only once — in 2001. That was also the last year Butler didn't win the tournament or produce the event's MVP.

This year's team is off to a 6-0 start, showing an ability to wear teams out in the fourth quarter at home and on the road.

"These kids have been successful in different atmospheres so far," Butler coach Matt Clement said. "I know they're appreciative of the big crowds we've had at home so far and they've responded to those crowds.

"These kids are starving for the community to support them. That support has been great so far and we're hoping it continues."

This year's tournament pits Knoch (5-1) against Jeannette (5-0) at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by Butler (6-0) against Summit Academy (3-3) at 7:30 p.m.

The consolation game will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, followed by the title game at 7:30 p.m.

"There will be interesting matchups all through this tournament," Clement said. "People will certainly see four intriguing games."

Butler and Summit Academy are 2-0 in section play. The Knights face unbeaten Rochester in a key early-season section tussle a week from Tuesday.

"This tournament will prepare us well and we're excited about that," Summit Academy coach Cliff Guy said. "We like to get up and down the floor and I know Butler does, too. It should be a pretty fast-paced game."

The Knights are led by senior guard Quadeer Devaughn, who is averaging more than 20 points per game.

"I know they're athletic," Clement said of the Knights. "They've already beaten Pine-Richland. That team can get after it."

Summit Academy has already had two players released from the Academy program and will lose two more at the end of January. The Knights are returning from four-day home passes to play in this tournament.

"That's always tough because we don't know if they've been working out or how well they'll have their legs come Tuesday," Guy said. "They left here right and they have to come back here right."

Knoch is led by such veteran players as Jake McTighe, Andrew Wirtz, Chris Cetnar and Micah Lio. The 6-foot-8 Lio recently returned from injury.

The Knights' only loss is an overtime decision to Upper St. Clair.

"We're playing pretty well, but this is a very good field," Knoch coach Chris Andreassi said of the tournament. "Jeannette is always good, Summit Academy is much improved over last year and Butler is obviously doing very well.

"We know Jeannette's athletic and very aggressive. But we want to play the way we want to and we're always looking to push the ball."

Jeannette has defeated its last three opponents — Monessen, Shady Side Academy and West Shamokin — by 18, 16 and 36 points, respectively. The Jayhawks do not have one dominant scorer.

"I know fans are always looking for that star attraction at these events," Jeannette coach Adrian Batts. "But people who watch us play will see a very balanced unit that plays well together.

"We'll entertain, but it won't be just one guy doing it."

The Jayhawks have four players averaging 12 points per game, another at 9.9 and another at 9.0 per contest.

Brian Weightman, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, has a baseball scholarship to Duquesne University. Jordan Batts, the coach's son, has a basketball scholarship offer from Pitt-Johnstown and point guard Darius Brown is getting offers from Division III schools.

"This will be a rough couple of days for all four of these teams," Batts said. "It's the competition we're looking for to gear us up for section play."

Clement said he'll be playing to win these games like every other "because the psyche of our team coming off last year dicates that."

Butler was 7-14 a season ago with the majority of its varsity roster coming back.

"Winning can become contagious, but so can losing," Clement said. "We don't want to start heading in the other direction."

BUTLER CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENTChampionship Games1995: Butler 75, Valley 631996: Seton-LaSalle 63, Butler 591997: Butler 70, Uniontown 641998: Woodland Hills 58, Butler 4531999: Schenley 77, Butler 452000: Butler 53, Bethel Park 502001: Karns City 87, Vincentian 422002: Butler 67, Franklin Regional 622004: Butler 64, Aliquppa 492005: Butler 58, Penn Hills 572006: Butler 63, Penn Hills 612007: Butler 65, Bethel Park 522008: Butler 41, Jeannette 36

Most Valuable Players1995: Andrew Beneigh (Butler)1996: Rico Abondanza (Seton-LaSalle)1997: Aaron Epps (Butler)1998: Bill Johnson (Woodland Hills)1999: Nate Gerwig (Schenley)2000: Dante Spino (Butler)2001: Patrick Craig (Karns City)2002: Tyrell Sales (Butler)2004: Blake Anderson (Butler)2005: Blake Anderson (Butler)2006: Mike Pratkanis (Butler)2007: Jeff Slater (Butler)2008: Bobby Swartwout (Butler)