BUTLER TWP — It's been a rough year for Blake Anderson.

He's been ill frequently and he's had a serious concussion.

But he is also MVP.

The Butler guard scored 26 points to lead a trio of Golden Tornado seniors who were instrumental down the stretch in a 58-57 overtime victory over Penn Hills in the championship game of the Butler Christmas Tournament Wednesday night.

"Blake was sick as could be," said Butler coach Joe Lewandowski. "But he battles. He's the toughest kid I know. He's just flat out a trooper. What else can I say?"

Anderson was named the tournament's most valuable player, but two other seniors — Noah Hartung and Jade Burka — had the most valuable five points in the contest.

Hartung hit a desperation 3-pointer at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 53, then Jade Burka hit a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the overtime period for a dramatic win.

Hartung dribbled five feet from the 3-point arc, trying to break down the defender, then as time ticked dangerously low, forced up a shot that bounced around the hoop before falling through.

"I think everyone in their life has one of those moments," said Penn Hills coach Jim Rocco. "He had one of those moments. He threw it up, it bounced around, and it went in."

Burka was held to 11 points, but he did his damage at both ends of the court. He had 13 rebounds and several devastating blocked shots.

Two of his blocks nearly landed at half court where Anderson was waiting to scoop the basketball up for fast break points.

"Jade flat out carried us down the stretch," Lewandowski said. "He had some monster rebounds and some monster blocks. He single-handedly alters shots and alters the way teams play."

Another senior, Alan Jackson, helped Butler stake a 21-9 lead early in the second quarter.

Since moving to point guard, Jackson has flourished. He had eight points in the first quarter and a half of play.

"That's what you expect — for your seniors to come through at big moments," Lewandowski said. "Down the stretch, we had a lot of seniors making plays."

After Butler (7-6) built a big lead, Penn Hills stormed back with a 14-5 run to end the half.

Penn Hills led by three late in the fourth quarter and kept it there until Hartung's clutch shot.

"Noah — he's only practiced for two days," Lewandowski said of his senior, who has just recently returned to the court following a football injury. "Just having him out there makes everyone else more comfortable."

Particularly Anderson, who is free to roam the court and set up for long-distance 3s.

Anderson hit his first five shots from the floor — including three 3-pointers, and had 13 at the half. He scored eight more points in the third quarter on 4-of-5 shooting by attacking the hoop.

"It's always tough to guard anyone who can do that," Rocco said. "Kids who can shoot and drive are priceless."

To Butler, the two tournament wins are just as priceless.

The Golden Tornado came into the tournament with three tough section losses. Now they head back into section play next week with renewed pep.

"These games were big," Lewandowski said. "We wanted two things. You always want to win your Christmas tournament. And we knew we had all our guys and we wanted to get some continuity.

"We have six days of practice. We're excited about that."

Notes:

In addition to Anderson and Burka, Michael Sherry (Chartiers Valley), Zach Ziemianski, Justin Hamilton (Penn Hills) and George Cox (Penn Hills) made the all-tournament. … Anderson was named MVP for the second straight year. … Butler has now won three of its last four holiday tournaments. … Penn Hills' David Filipino won the 3-point shooting contest.

PENN HILLS 57

Steve Satterwhite 4-10 2-2 11, Justin Hamilton 5-16 2-7 12, Anthony Ionadi 3-6 0-0 6, George Cox 7-11 1-8 15, Jeff Abraham 1-9 4-6 6, Derek Drummond 1-3 2-4 4, Charlie Carter 0-3 0-0 0, David Filipino 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 22-61 11-27 57

BUTLER 58

Blake Anderson 10-19 2-2 26, Nick Martini 0-4 0-2 0, Jade Burka 2-4 7-9 11, Noah Hartung 2-8 0-2 6, Alan Jackson 5-6 1-4 11, Aaron Dorondo 0-0 0-0 0, Adam Monday 0-2 0-0 0, Cody Fleeger 1-3 2-2 4. Totals: 20-46 12-21 58

3-point goals:

Satterwhite, Filipino, Anderson 4, Hartung 2

Wednesday:

Butler at Shaler