Facing one of the best teams in Class 6A of the WPIAL, the Butler girls basketball team needed a fast start.

It was Norwin, however, that got it.

The Knights jumped out to a 23-12 lead after one quarter and led 40-16 at the half on the way to a 70-46 road win over the Golden Tornado Thursday.

Makenna Maier scored all 11 of her team-leading points in the first half for Butler (7-11, 4-8).

Olivia Gribble paced Norwin (15-3, 11-1) with 18 points.

Macklin Hanley had a good overall game for the Golden Tornado in the setback. The junior guard had four steals, three assists and three rebounds to go with her five points.

Butler will be in action again at McDowell Saturday afternoon before a trip to another WPIAL and section power, North Allegheny, Monday night.

NORWIN 70

Margaret Edwards 3, Jayla Wehner 8, Savannah Schneck 12, Chloe Lukondi 2, Mara Polczynski 2, Brianna Zajicek 6, Danielle Rosso 10, Jacklyn Caputo 2, Alyssa Laukus 2, Olivia Gribble 18, Cassie Cole 4. Totals: 27 4-7 70.

BUTLER 46

Piper Geibel 2, Sarayne Forbes 5, Justine Forbes 5, Macklin Hanley 5, Emma Monteleone 2, Ali Altman 2, Makenna Maier 11, Elizabeth Friel 2, Maisy Gibson 6, Abree Tack 6. Totals: 15 11-14 46.

Norwin 23 17 19 11 — 70

Butler12 4 17 13 — 46

Saturday: Butler at McDowell, 2:30 p.m.

Knoch 67, Burrell 28 — Nevaeh Ewing scored 16 points to lead the Knights to this rout.

Madilyn Boyer added 13 points, Abbey Shearer 12 and Nina Shaw 10 for Knoch (15-5, 10-2), which faces Freeport Monday in a key section clash.

KNOCH 67

Nevaeh Ewing 16, Madilyn Boyer 13, Abbey Shearer 12, Nina Shaw 10, Lauren Cohonski 6, Hattie McGraw 5, Mackenzie Mcgraw 3, Jaylee Lassinger 2.

BURRELL 28

Clark 12, Fisher 11, Watts 5

Knoch 24 15 23 5 — 67

Burrell6 7 8 7 — 28

Monday: Freeport at Knoch

Freeport 68, Apollo-Ridge 34 — Sidney Shemanski scored 20 points to lead the Yellowjackets, who led 42-13 at the break.

Harley Holloway also reached double figures with 10 for Freeport (13-5, 10-2).

APOLLO-RIDGE 34

Rylee Eaton 9

FREEPORT 68

Sidney Shemanski 20, Harley Holloway 10

Apollo-Ridge 6 7 8 13 — 34

Freeport19 23 18 8 — 68

Monday: Freeport at Knoch

North Catholic 70, Greensburg Salem 39 — Tess Myers led four Trojanettes in double figures with 19 in this win.

Cassie Foster and Kylee Lewandowski each added 14 and Branygan Bianchin also scored 10 as North Catholic (18-1, 12-0) pulled away with a 29-point third quarter.

NORTH CATHOLIC 70

Tess Myers 19, Cassie Foster 14, Kylee Lewandowski 14, Branygan Bianchin 10.

GREENSBURG SALEM 39

Abby Mankins 13, Carissa Caldwell 12.

North Catholic 18 12 29 11 — 70

Greens. Salem6 11 14 8 — 39

Monday: North Catholic at Burrell

Mars 58, Hollidaysburg 54 — Bella Pelaia scored 21 points and Alek Johnson and Ava Black added 12 points each for the Planets.

Seneca Valley 47, Shaler 40 — The Raiders (13-6, 7-5) won this key section matchup.