Outside influence
BUTLER TWP — In a loss to North Allegheny three weeks ago, Butler’s girls basketball team was burned by the Tigers’ 14 treys and Golden Tornado coach Mark Maier knew his team’s ability to defend the perimeter would be pivotal in Thursday’s rematch.
You can imagine his frustration when he watched NA drain six 3-pointers in the first quarter, part of a 26-point period that the Tigers turned into a 56-29 win at Butler High School.
NA shot 64 percent (nine of 14) from beyond the arc. In its two games against Butler this season, the Tigers made 23 of 48 shots from the outside.
“It’s pick your poison with them,” Maier said. “(Jasmine) Timmerson is a good penetrator and if she drives, you need to get help defending her, but then she can kick it back out and things can start breaking down for you on defense. But we have to find a way, or make a way, to defend them.
“In most of their other games this season, they shot 25 percent or worse from 3-point range.”
Kellie McConnell’s trey less than 10 seconds into the game was a sign of things to come. She added two more by the end of the first period. Timmerson, Cam Phillips and Caroline Henderson each hit one and the Tigers held a commanding 26-8 lead after eight minutes.
“It’s fortunate when you shoot the ball well like that early to get out in front of a team,” said NA coach Spencer Stefko. “Butler is a really good team. (Justine) Forbes and (Amelia) McMichael are both nightmares to defend. We allocated more bodies on them tonight.”
Forbes and McMichael were held to a combined 12 points, but with as well as NA shot the ball in the first half (14 of 22), the Tornado’s chances of staying with the Tigers were slim to none.
Butler trailed 39-11 at halftime and the mercy clock took affect moments into the third quarter.
“It’s disappointing. We’re both 6A teams and that shouldn’t happen,” Maier said. “We’re all accountable and it starts with me.”
Butler (10-9, 4-4) was coming off a 60-22 loss to Norwin on Monday. NA (13-4, 7-1) are tied atop the section standings.
The Tornado have three section games remaining, beginning with a date at home Monday against Hempfield.
“We’ve been pretty resilient this season, have done a good job of not letting a win or a loss affect the next game,” said Maier. “Tomorrow’s a new day.”
NORTH ALLEGHENY 56
Kellie McConnell 5 1-1 15, Jasmine Timmerson 4 0-0 9, Cam Phillips 3 0-0 7, Lydia Betz 2 4-4 8, Grace Heliger 1 0-0 2, Caroline Henderson 4 0-0 11, Eva Prenatt 1 0-0 2, Vange Balouris 1 0-0 2, Cate Pingpank 0 0-0 0, Emily Glass 0 0-0 0, Rae Shanahan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 5-5 56.
BUTLER 29
Sydney Patterson 3 0-0 7, Justine Forbes 2 0-2 4, Hannah Aldridge 1 0-0 2, Tori Stevenson 0 1-2 1, Madison McGarrah 1 0-0 2, Amelia McMichael 3 1-2 8, Evelyn Paserba 2 1-1 5, Hope Look 0 0-0 0, Avery Maier 0 0-0 0, Kelli Kovalick 0 0-0 0, Casey Clouse 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 3-7 29.
NA 26 13 13 4 — 56
Butler 8 3 6 12 — 29
3-point goals: North Allegheny 9 (McConnell 4, Henderson 3, Phillips, Timmerson); Butler 2 (Patterson, McMichael).
Monday: Hempfield at Butler
