Butler falls short on road in playoff opener
PETERS TWP — Since giving up the lead late in the first quarter, Butler was struggling to keep its season afloat. In Monday’s WPIAL Class 6A first-round girls basketball playoff game, the Golden Tornado would make a big shot at one end only to give up one or two to Peters Township at the other.
Finally, late in the third quarter, Butler began a spurt that brought it to within 45-38. That’s when the Indians hit the Tornado with a flurry that, in effect, ended their season.
Nine points in a 36-second span was the last spark Peters needed on its way to a 62-49 victory on its home floor.
“A seven-point game, you’re still losing, but a couple more stops and baskets and you’re right there,” said Butler coach Mark Maier. “It makes it so tough when they go on a run like they did.”
It began with Natalie Wetzel’s two free throws that pushed the Indians’ lead to 47-38 with 7:26 remaining in the game. Moments later, Peri Cendroski made a layup while being fouled and it was ruled intentional. She drained both free throws and nailed a trey after play resumed. Just like that, a 7-point hole turned into a 16-point abyss Butler was not able to climb out of.
“That sequence was huge for us,” said Peters Township coach Steve Limberiou. “We were thinking about taking a timeout (during Butler’s run), but we had been through situations like that before and decided to let the girls play through it.”
Justine Forbes scored three baskets during Butler’s reprieve before the Indians (13-10) took control for good.
The Indians led 8-6 after a slow first period, then dropped 22 points in the second quarter to lead 30-18 at the break.
Wetzel and Sami Bewick both scored 17 for Peters and Cendroski came off the bench to offer 16, including four 3-pointers.
Amelia McMichael tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Tornado and teammate Sydney Patterson scored 12 points.
Butler finishes the season with a record of 11-12.
“We’re proud of the girls, proud of the effort,” Maier said. “This group of seniors made the playoffs three straight years.
“Except for the WPIAL champion, every team is going to be disappointed.”
BUTLER 49
Sydney Patterson 5 1-2 12, Amelia McMichael 9 2-3 22, Madison McGarrah 1 0-0 3, Hannah Aldridge 1 0-0 3, Justine Forbes 4 0-0 9, Avery Maier 0 0-0 0, Hope Look 0 0-0 0, Kelli Kovalick 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 3-5 49.
PETERS TOWNSHIP 62
Sami Bewick 7 3-5 17, Natalie Wetzel 6 4-4 17, Gemma Walker 1 2-2 4, Peri Cendroski 5 2-2 16, Brianna Morreale 3 0-0 8, Grace Kail 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 11-13 62.
Butler 6 12 18 13 — 49
Peters Twp. 8 22 15 17 — 62
3-point goals: Butler 6 (McMichael 2, Patterson, Aldridge, McGarrah, Forbes); Peters Township 7 (Cendroski 4, Morreale 2, Wetzel).
