Butler’s McMichael catalyst behind comeback win
JACKSON TWP — One of Butler’s most consistent scorers spent most of the first half on the bench in foul trouble and it showed on the scoreboard.
Without sophomore swing player Amelia McMichael, the Golden Tornado struggled offensively in the first two quarters and trailed host Seneca Valley 24-12 at halftime.
“It was tough just watching from the bench,” said McMichael, “but I was ready once the second half began.”
Was she ever.
McMichael was the catalyst behind Butler’s rally, scoring all 16 of her points in the second half as the Tornado earned a 46-42 overtime victory Monday in girls basketball action.
It was the first section game of the season for both teams.
“Down 12, to find a way to come back, I’m super satisfied with this win,” said Butler coach Mark Maier. “You score first in overtime, you’re in the driver’s seat. And Amelia scored right after the tip.”
Three seconds to be exact, and Justine Forbes drained a trey moments later for a 43-38 lead.
Two free throws from Gracie Cato pulled SV to within 44-42 with 43 seconds left, but the Raiders (3-7, 0-1) got no closer.
SV shot the ball much better (10 of 22) than Butler in the first half. That included three treys from Natalie Hambly. But the Raiders fell off significantly in the final 20 minutes of the game, making just seven of 27 shots.
“It was a lack of execution on our part,” said SV coach Dorothea Epps. “In critical situations, we had girls taking shots who should not have been taking shots.
“Defensively, we had a lack of focus starting in the third quarter and Butler comes down and starts bombing threes.”
Forbes scored 17 for Butler (6-5, 1-0) and Sydney Patterson added 10.
Hambly led SV with 16 points and Emerson Peffer scored 13. It was the former’s bucket with 50 seconds left in regulation that tied the game at 38.
BUTLER 46
Justine Forbes 5 5-9 17, Hannah Aldridge 0 2-5 2, Amelia McMichael 7 0-2 16, Madison McGarrah 0 1-2 1, Sydney Patterson 3 3-5 10, Jessica Chwalik 0 0-0 0, Hope Look 0 0-0 0, Avery Maier 0 0-0 0, Kelli Kovalick 0 0-0 0, Tori Stevenson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 11-23 46.
SENECA VALLEY 42
Brionna Brown 3 0-0 7, Anna Felitsky 1 0-0 2, Natalie Hambly 6 0-0 16, Gracie Cato 1 2-2 4, Emerson Peffer 6 1-2 13, Lilli Hudac 0 0-0 0, Allison Sevin 0 0-0 0, Lauren Folino 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 3-4 42.
Butler 5 7 15 11 8 — 46
Seneca Valley 10 14 5 9 4 — 42
3-point goals: Butler 5 (Forbes 2, McMichael 2, Patterson); SV 5 (Hambly 4, Brown).
Thursday: Seneca Valley at Hempfield; Norwin at Butler
