Hurricane strikes Butler early
BUTLER TWP — Quick and to the point.
That’s how New Castle started. That’s how Butler boys basketball coach Matt Clement saw his team’s fate Friday night.
“This game was decided in the first five minutes,” Clement said of the Golden Tornado’s 71-60 Section 1-6A loss to the unbeaten Red Hurricane. “By the time we recovered, settled in and played like we thought we’d play, their lead was too much to overcome.”
Butler never led in the game. The Tornado (9-2, 1-1) turned the ball over six times in the first 4:30, helping New Castle (10-0, 2-0) jump out to a 14-4 lead. Butler turned the ball over on its first three possessions and trailed 5-0 before getting off a field goal attempt.
“That quick start was a big part of this, but I thought we played a solid basketball game all the way through tonight,” New Castle coach Ralph Blundo said. “We took care of the ball, played good defense and shot well.
“I have a lot of respect for Matt and his program. Butler-New Castle had been a long, respectful rivalry for years, even before I played. Yeah, this does bring back some of those memories.”
