BUTLER TWP — Butler’s young core is learning on the fly.

North Allegheny proved to be a tough lesson.

The Tigers jumped out to a 13-0 lead, went on a 24-2 run to take a 57-17 lead early in the third quarter and cruised to a 61-29 win at Butler High School Monday night.

“We had freshmen and sophomores battling and competing,” said Butler coach Joe Lewandowski. “The kids got after it.”

But turnovers hurt Butler. The Golden Tornado had 20 in the first half and took just 15 shots to 33 for North Allegheny in the first half.

Both teams shot 33 percent in the first two quarters.

“Obviously, the turnovers are something you have to control,” Lewandowski said. “(North Allegheny) does a good job of pressuring you. That’s why they are one of the best teams in the WPIAL. Because they are good at what they do.

“You’re battling age and you’re battling turnovers and fundamentally, you have to get more sound,” Lewandowski added. “They are in the right position now, it’s just the ability to make some plays.”

Four players scored for Butler — three sophomores and a freshman.

Sophomore Alyssa Eyth, in her second game back from two different knee injuries, scored seven. Sophomore Kailey Olenick and freshman Julia Gibson also scored seven points and sophomore Jenna Kunst added six points for the Golden Tornado (0-7, 0-4).

North Allegheny had 10 players score at least two points and was led by Piper Morningstar with 14.

The Tigers (6-1, 3-0) were coming off a loss to Norwin last week.

“We were champing at the bit to get back on the bike, if I can mix metaphors,” said North Allegheny coach Spencer Stefko. “It was nice to see them respond the way that they did and play hard and not feel sorry for themselves.”

Stefko also said he wanted to see how his team would react to playing a young and hungry opponent like Butler.

“We thought that ball pressure was going to be key tonight with them being younger and a little bit inexperienced,” Stefko said. “That was what we really harped on and I was happy with the turnovers we were able to create.

“You have to give (Butler) credit, though,” Stefko added. “They played hard and they played hard all the way through the night.”

NORTH ALLEGHENY 61

Kari Karinikos 3-6 0-0 8, Taylor Lake 4-8 1-6 9, Courtney Roman 0-2 0-0 0, Rachel Martindale 1-4 2-2 4, Piper Morningstar 5-9 1-4 14, Abby Gonzales 3-7 1-2 9, Brynn Serbin 1-2 0-0 2, Savannah Strickland 1-5 2-2 5, Hailey Zeise 2-4 0-0 6, Allison Fischer 1-2 0-0 2, Madeline Fischer 2-3 0-0 4. Totals: 22-51 7-16 61.

BUTLER 29

Alyssa Eyth 3-10 1-2 7, Melea Barlow 0-0 0-0 0, Kailey Olenick 2-5 3-4 7, Jenna Kunst 3-7 0-0 6, Sydney Hanratty 0-0 0-0 0, Megan Gage 0-0 0-0 0, Noel Pfabe 0-2 0-0 0, Julia Gibson 2-4 3-5 7, Tiana Schaffner 0-0 0-0 0, Heidi Gross 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 11-30 7-11 29.

North Allegheny 21 23 15 2 — 61

Butler6 9 4 10 — 29

3-point goals: North Allegheny 10 (Karinikos 2, Morningstar 3, Gonzales 2, Strikland, Zeise 2)

JV: North Allegheny 42-17

Dec. 28: Butler vs. Lincoln Park at Sto-Rox Tournament