Golden opportunity
Butler exploits second chance by crushing Allderdice, 66-4

By Mike Kilroy
Eagle Staff Writer

WEXFORD — All Butler wanted was another chance.
After a disappointing loss in the second round of the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs, the Golden Tornado girls basketball team needed Peters Township to pull it back into the playoff party.
The Indians did, with a throng of Butler players cheering them on.
Butler showed what it could do with that new life in a 66-4 thrashing of Allderdice in the PIAA play-in round at North Allegheny Tuesday night.
"It's a chance to play with these seniors again," said sophomore Olivia Bresnahan. "I really hoped I was going to get that chance."
It didn't take long for Butler to realize it was going to win this first test handily.
Starting four freshmen, Allderdice could do little to stop the cascade.
How bad was it?
• Less than four minutes into the game, Butler had a 16-0 lead and Allderdice had attempted only one shot and committed 10 turnovers.
• After Ashley Cox hit a jumper for the Dragons with 4:12 remaining in the second quarter, Allderdice went scoreless for the next 20 minutes.
• Butler took 72 shots to 14 for the Dragons.
• Allderdice committed 42 turnovers to nine for the Golden Tornado.
• Butler had 35 offensive rebounds to zero for Allderdice.
"Basically that team was overmatched," said Butler coach Dorothea Epps. "You do feel bad for them, but on the other hand, we haven't played in over a week, so I had to play my starters to get their game wind back."
One of those players was Lyndsy Day, who was playing with a bulky brace on her injured right leg.
Day tore ligaments in her right knee early in the first round ot the WPIAL playoffs against Hempfield. But nothing was going to keep her off the court in the state playoffs.
She played sparingly but recorded several steals and scored five points.
Day didn't appear to be limited while on the court.
"The day I got hurt, all I wanted to do was rehab it and get back on the court in the state playoffs," Day said. "I pretty much knew I was going to play."
When Day entered the game for the first time midway through the first quarter, the Butler fans in attendance gave her a hearty cheer.
She also seemed to inspire her teammates, Epps said.
"She's just so well liked," Epps said. "She gives the other girls a boost."
Butler was able to work on a few things against Allderdice. The Golden Tornado didn't shoot particularly well against the Dragons, but that was of little consequence.
Things will be much different Friday when the Golden Tornado take onWPIAL champion Upper St.Clair at 6 p.m. at North Allegheny.
"Getting another chance — we thank Peters for getting us back in — it's nice because we felt that was where this team belongs," Epps said.

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