BUTLER TWP — Matt Clement refers to Butler junior guard Luke Patten as “1-B.”

When Ethan Morton is “1-A,” there's nothing wrong with that.

“Luke is our second best player. There's no doubt about that,” Butler boys basketball coach Clement said. “There's a reason why he never leaves the floor.

“He does too many things for us.”

And nobody appreciates that more than Morton.

“Last year, you'd barely notice him out there, but he was so effective, doing a lot of the dirty work,” Morton said. “Creating a turnover, getting on a loose ball, grabbing a rebound, Luke was in the middle of all of that stuff.

“This year, he's doing so much more. We count on him for everything and he does a little bit of everything.”

On the surface, Patten's numbers do not appear so imposing: 10 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

But he's a 6-foot-4 guard who can handle the basketball, sink 3-pointers, clear rebounds inside and play stellar defense. And he's averaging 27.5 minutes per game.

“Coming into this year, I knew I had to be what Luke Michalek was to the team last year,” Patten said. “I had to facilitate the offense more, be more involved.”

That's easier said than done when Morton is averaging nearly a triple-double every game.

Patten said having Morton on the floor does make life easier for him, however.

“Definitely,” he said. “Ethan commands so much attention that I'm left open on a number of occasions. I can get free for my shot and I'm not doubled when I'm handling the ball.”

Morton has mutual admiration for his fellow junior.

“When I need a rest, Luke brings the ball up the floor,” Morton said. “He is a second point guard. He could easily be our point guard.

“He's got a good shot, he can take it to the hole, he gets tons of rebounds ... The guy gives a million percent all the time. I love playing with him.”

Patten struck for 21 points against Allderdice, one of the top teams in the state. He had six assists against Mt. Lebanon and Seneca Valley, 10 rebounds against Seneca Valley, four steals against Sewickley Academy.

He had 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals at North Allegheny Tuesday night while Morton compiled 29 points, 12 boards and seven assists.

A typically supportive role — by design.

“If Ethan wasn't out there, Luke would certainly be shooting a lot more and his overall numbers would increase quite a bit,” Clement said. “But, like Ethan, he's a team player.

“He's still gonna have a night where he strikes for 25 points, 10 boards, a bunch of assists. He's a well-rounded, high-quality basketball player.

“A hidden gem? Yeah, you could say that,” Clement added.

But he's a gem who's already been noticed by college coaches.

“I'm hoping to play college basketball somewhere, whoever will have me,” Patten said. “With Ethan here, a lot of (college) scouts come around all the time.

“I'm hoping to take advantage of that, too.”

Clement believes he will.

“It's hard to tell right now what his ceiling is, whether it's Division I, II or III, but I know Luke will be playing in college,” Clement said.

“He's an excellent player now and, as hard as he works, his game hasn't peaked yet. It will be fun to see how high it goes.”