Butler girls basketball falls to Hempfield as losses, injuries mount, but Tornado ‘can build off’ game
BUTLER TWP — Stronger effort, same result.
Butler battled back from double-digit deficits twice Monday night, only to fall short in a 56-50 WPIAL Class 6A non-section girls basketball loss to Hempfield Area in the Golden Tornado gym.
The loss was the sixth straight for Butler (8-8) as it prepares to return to section play Thursday against North Hills. Hempfield (10-6) snapped a four-game losing streak.
“You don’t seek moral victories in a loss, but some defeats aren’t as bad as others,” Tornado coach Mark Maier said. “There are a lot of things we can build off from this game as we get back into section competition.”
The Tornado trailed 22-10 midway through the second quarter before rallying to take a 27-26 lead on a pair of Eva Stutz free throws with 44 seconds left in the half. The Spartans regained the lead on an Ava Sherman 3-pointer and took a 29-27 edge into halftime.
Butler never got back on top and trailed by 10 (44-34) entering the final quarter. Jordan Ryan scored all nine of her points in that final eight minutes, her free throw cutting the gap to 52-49 with 2:14 remaining. Hempfield sank four free throws in the final 56 seconds to hold on for the win.
“We went to our delay game in that final stretch and our girls executed it well,” Hempfield coach Bob Madison said. “I thought we passed on a couple of layups there, but we hit the free throws to put it away. You can’t ask for more than that.
“This was a gritty game. Both teams played hard.”
The Spartans sank nine treys in their win.
“We’re not known to be a 3-point shooting team,” Madison said. “But the shots were going in tonight. We banked a couple of those in, but we’ll take it. You’ll take anything when trying to snap a losing streak.”
Playing a patient game, Hempfield shot 54% from the field overall. Butler hit just 7 of 26 shots from the floor in the second half.
The Tornado played without starting point guard Malina McElroy, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Ashton Huff and Jules Lockwood, two others who receive significant playing time, are out with injuries, as well.
“We played with only seven tonight,” Maier said. “Katie Dick and Jordan Ryan made their first varsity starts, taking on roles they’re not used to. But, overall, I loved our effort.
“Our defense and rebounding have struggled during this losing streak. We rebounded much better tonight, we were diving on the floor after loose balls. ... There were probably 20 jump balls in this game, a lot of energy.”
Stutz paced the Tornado with 17 points and three assists. While Ryan scored all nine of her points late, Payton Kamerer scored all eight of her points in the first half. Butler had a 25-24 edge in rebounding.
Emily Hoffer had nine boards and a pair of steals for the Tornado.
“Turnovers have been killing us during this losing streak,” Hoffer said. “They weren’t as bad tonight. We definitely played harder, and I’m encouraged by that.
“The tiny things mean a lot in basketball. We have to pay more attention to detail, make better passes, things like that. I feel like we can turn things around.”
Reagan Fisher led Hempfield with 20 points, sinking four treys. Lilly Houghtalen contributed 12 points, Carina Rimel 12 points and seven assists.
“Our scoring was balanced tonight,” Madison said. “That’s when we’re at our best.”
HEMPFIELD AREA 56
Reagan Fisher 7-10 2-4 20, Lilly Houghtalen 5-9 0-0 12, Ava Shipman 1-6 2-4 5, Carina Rimel 3-4 4-5 12, Gabby Coccia 3-5 1-4 7, Lena Hisman 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 19-36 9-17 56.
BUTLER 50
Campbell Clouse 2-2 0-0 4, Eva Stutz 3-11 8-9 17, Payton Kamerer 3-6 0-0 8, Emily Hoffer 2-10 2-3 6, Emily Cornish 0-3 1-2 1, Katie Dick 2-2 1-1 5, Jordan Ryan 3-10 1-2 9. Totals: 15-44 13-17 50.
Hempfield 12 17 15 12 — 56
Butler 8 19 7 16 — 50
3-point goals: Hempfield 9 (Fisher 4, Houghtalen 2, Rimel 2, Shipman), Butler 7 (Stutz 3, Kamerer 2, Ryan 2)
Thursday: North Hills at Butler
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Butler's Emily Hoffer (23) is introduced before a girls basketball game against Hempfield Area Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Payton Kamerer (13) is introduced before a girls basketball game against Hempfield Area Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Emily Hoffer (23) drives against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Payton Kamerer (13) looks to drive against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Jordan Ryan (43) makes a baseline jumper against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Hempfield Area's Ava Shipman (5) defends Butler's Emily Hoffer (23) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's head coach Mark Maier talks to his team in a girls basketball game against Hempfield Area Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Jordan Ryan (43) dribbles against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Kaitlyn Dick (35) looks to pass against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Jordan Ryan (43) drains a 3-point shot against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Hempfield Area's Lilly Houghtalen (4) blocks a shot by Butler's Eva Stutz (10) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Hempfield Area's Carma Rimmel (13) fouls Butler's Eva Stutz (10) as she attempts a 3-point shot in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Eva Stutz (10) drives past Hempfield Area's Carma Rimmel (13) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Jordan Ryan (43) shoots a 3-point shot against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Eva Stutz (10) shoots a 3-point shot against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Payton Kamerer (13) drives towards the basket against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Payton Kamerer (13) drives by Hempfield Area's Reagan Fisher (2) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Emily Hoffer (23) drives against Hempfield Area's Ava Shipman (5) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Campbell Clouse (3) fights for a rebound against Hempfield Area's Lena Hisman (12) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Emily Hoffer (23) is fouled by Hempfield Area's Carma Rimmel (13) in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler’s Eva Stutz (10) shoots a free throw against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Kaitlyn Dick (35) grabs a rebound against Hempfield Area in a girls basketball game Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Butler High School. JJ LaBella/Special to the Eagle
