BETHEL PARK - For a team that's starting three sophomores, it was a promising way to begin the season.

Trailing 24-23 at halftime, Butler received 14 second-half points from Kelly Miller and its defense forced 12 turnovers in the last two quarters as the Golden Tornado girls basketball team defeated Hempfield 56-44 at the Bethel Park Tip-off Tournament Friday night.

Sophomores Amy Achesinski (12 points), Maria Baroffio (seven points) and Rachel Barry (three points) all started and contributed on both ends of the floor.

"The fact that we're starting three sophomores, we know we're going to have to take our lumps with them," said Butler coach Dorothea Epps. "Right now we just want all of them to stay positive."

Miller led Butler's effort with 20 points. All four of her field goals came in the third quarter, but she also added an 11-of-12 performance from the free throw line.

Her nine points in the third quarter helped the Golden Tornado turn the one-point halftime deficit into a 41-38 lead entering the final period.

"I told her that no one can really guard her," Epps said. "She's a good shooter against a zone defense and we moved her to the wing to get her more involved in the offense."

Hempfield shot a miserable three-of-12 for 25 percent in the final period, scoring just six points.

The Spartans, who return just one starter in Samantha Wanichko from their WPIAL Class AAAA playoff team last season, struggled to generate consistency on offense all night long and committed 24 turnovers.

"Butler played a tenacious defense tonight," said Hempfield coach Gene Brisbane. "It made it tough for us to get in a flow and the credit goes to them."

"We like to use a lot of pressure," said Epps. "That's the whole key to our defense. It made them try to force things, and that's what we wanted."

Butler led for most of the first half, but Hempfield went on a 10-1 run in the final three minutes to take the slim lead at halftime.

The Golden Tornado didn't score a field goal in the second quarter, but they did sink 10 free throws to stay in the game.

"Our girls were catching the ball and putting it on the floor, trying to create something that way," said Epps. "We told them to just catch and shoot."

Butler outscored Hempfield at the free throw line 26-8.

Junior Rachel Martinko led Hempfield with 11 points.

"It is the beginning of the season," said Brisbane. "If we're still having the same problems in January, then we're in trouble."

"All the girls that came in off the bench contributed in some way tonight, whether it was on offense or defense," said Epps.

Butler will face Bethel Park, who defeated West Mifflin 53-24 in Friday's second game, in the championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday.

HEMPFIELD 44

Jen Lawry 0 0-0 0, Brittany Bell 4 1-3 12, Cara Esola 2 0-0 4, Kara Waltenbaugh 2 0-2 4, Natalie Foy 2 0-1 4, Ashley Santavy 0 0-2 0, Rachel Martinko 4 3-4 11, Samantha Wanichko 2 4-5 9. Totals: 16 8-17 44.

BUTLER 56

Kelly Miller 4 11-12 20, Kate DeGeorge 0 2-2 2, Kala Schnur 1 0-0 3, Julie Erhman 1 0-0 2, Samantha Karns 2 1-2 5, Ashley Nocera 1 0-0 2, Maria Baroffio 0 7-8 7, Amy Achesinski 5 2-7 12, Rachel Barry 0 3-6 3. Totals: 14 26-35 56.

3-point goals: Bri. Bell 3, Wanichko; Miller, Schnur

Saturday: Butler vs. Bethel Park, Championship of Bethel Park Tournament, 8 p.m.