Disappointing end
BUTLER TWP — Both Hampton and Butler had the opportunity to close a sub-par season on a high note.
It was the visiting Talbots who took advantage, shooting 69 percent (nine of 13) from the field in the first quarter and never trailing in a 53-36 victory Monday on Senior Recognition Night for the Golden Tornado.
Five different Talbots made field goals in the first quarter, after which Butler trailed 22-10.
“This is the point we've been trying to get to all season, having five scoring threats on the floor,” said Talbots' coach Tony Howard. “We've had a lot of girls in and out of the lineup due to injury and some other things. It was just recently that we got into a rhythm.”
Butler's deficit at halftime stood at 37-19, but the opportunity was there for the Golden Tornado to come back. Hampton's offense cooled off considerably in the second half.
When Emma Monteleone drove for a basket with 3:38 left in the game, Hampton's lead was trimmed to 47-36, but Butler failed to score the rest of the game.
“Hampton's not a tall team, but they have good shooters,” said Maier. “They got a good lead on us and kept it.
“It's not the way you want to go out on senior night, but you don't always get what you want.”
Hampton sophomore Sophia Kelly, who entered the game averaging 8.5 points per game, scored a game-high 20. It was her two baskets, the first with 3:16 left in the game and the other at 2:31, that pushed the Talbot lead back to 15.
Kayla Hoehler, another sophomore, scored 15 for Hampton (7-14).
“Those two are our top two scorers,” said Howard. “They were outstanding tonight and have unlimited potential.
“Butler (7-15) came out swinging in the second half and earlier in the season, maybe we don't match that intensity. Overall, I thought we did tonight. We remained aggressive and continued to try to score.”
Monteleone paced Butler with nine points.
Prior to the game, Emma Simmers, Anna Michalek, Liz Friel, Hailey Metzger, Jordan Kauffman and Monteleone were honored as Butler's six seniors. All started the game, except for Kauffman, who has been out since mid-January with a knee injury.
Also seeing action were a number of players who figure into the Tornado's future plans, including regular starters Sarayne Forbes, Ali Altman and Makenna Maier.
“We have five or six players coming back next year who saw significant playing time this season,” Coach Maier said. “That's invaluable experience, but there's no definites for next year. Teams make the biggest strides (during the high school season), but individual players make the biggest strides between now and November.”
Butler's junior varsity team defeated the Talbots, 56-31, to finish the season with an 18-2 record.
HAMPTON 53
Kayla Hoehler 5 1-2 15, Olivia Bianco 1 0-0 2, Sophia Kelly 9 2-3 20, Katie Baker 2 0-0 4, Maddie Long 4 0-0 10, Addie Klocko 1 0-0 2, Grace Rydzak 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 3-5 53.
BUTLER 36
Hailey Metzger 2 0-1 5, Emma Monteleone 3 1-2 9, Ali Altman 1 3-5 5, Makenna Maier 2 1-2 5, Sarayne Forbes 2 1-2 6, Aubree Tack 1 1-2 3, Macklin Hanley 1 0-0 3, Anna Michalek 0 0-0 0, Emma Simmers 0 0-0 0, Liz Friel 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 7-14 36.
Hampton 22 15 8 8 — 53
Butler10 9 8 9 — 36
3-point goals: Hampton 6 (Hoehler 4, Long 2); Butler 5 (Monteleone 2, Metzger, Forbes, Hanley).
