BUTLER TWP — For starters, it wasn’t much of one for Butler.

Butler’s Donovan Carney shoots a three-pointer over the defense from New Castle’s Ralphie Blundo in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

Kyle Prudhomme

At least not offensively.

The Golden Tornado missed their first 10 shots from the field Tuesday night in a Section 1-6A home boys basketball game against New Castle — but trailed only 6-1 after those first six minutes of the game.

Butler boys basketball coach Matt Clement calls a play late in Tuesday’s Section 1 Class 6A matchup with New Castle. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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Freshman guard Jordan Epps came off the bench to get rid of that 0-for-10 streak by draining a trey from the left corner, completed a three-point play early in the second quarter that tied the game, then watched his team sink seven treys in the third quarter on its way to a 70-57 victory.

“What I liked about those first few minutes was nobody was panicking and we were playing good defense,“ Butler coach Matt Clement said. ”Then Jordan comes in there and calmly hits a big shot for us.

Butler’s Donovan Carney dribbles on the defense from New Castle’s Chase Lemmon in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

Kyle Prudhomme

“That first bucket in a situation like that is always big.”

Epps is the son of former Butler basketball standout Aaron Epps.

“There’s a little bit of pressure there, playing here after him,” the freshman Epps said. “But I like the challenge and I want to live up to it.

Butler’s Andrew Lucas cracks a smile from the bench during Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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“The mantra around here is to stay ready, always be ready,” the freshman Epps said. “You never know when you’re going to be called upon. I was happy to be able to contribute.”

Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn dribbles through the defense of New Castle’s Damian Harrison in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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Butler (15-3, 5-2) took its first lead (16-14) on a Braylon Littlejohn layup with 6:06 left in the second quarter. The Tornado never trailed from there, though a Ralphie Blundo, steal, layup and free throw pulled the Red Hurricane (12--7, 1-6) within 22-21 with 1:41 left in the half.

Butler’s Ayden Davis and New Castle’s JT Warren battle for a rebound late in the fourth quarter of a Section 1 Class 6A meeting at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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Donovan Carney responded with a trey seconds later and the home team was off and running again.

“What hurt about the way this game started for us was that 6-0 lead could have been 12 or 14-0,” New Castle coach Ralph Blundo said. “We didn’t execute our offensive possessions and they turned us over a couple of times.

Butler’s Stainton Forbes and Tayt Lucas (12) pressure New Castle’s Noreaga Jackson at half court during Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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“That (Butler) team has weapons al over the place. They can go off at any time. I’ve had teams like that and know what it takes to defend against them. You have to be totally engaged every second of the game.”

All but one of the Tornado third-quarter field goals was a trey. Butler scored 27 points in the frame, opening up a 53-32 lead six minutes into the period. That would be the Tornado’s biggest lead of the night.

Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn rises over the New Castle defense for a shot in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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“Our bench gave us quality minutes in a lot of ways tonight,” Clement said “Mavrik (Clement) comes in, deflects a pass and sends us off the other way. Jordan made a couple of buckets, Stainton (Forbes) was productive, Getty (Andrew Gettinger) made some nice plays ... People don’ realize how important that stuff is.

Butler’s Ayden Davis passes as New Castle's JT Warren defense during Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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“It gives our starters some rest so they can have fresh legs later. Ayden Davis was flying ll over the place at the top of our zone late in this game because he was rested. It’s tough playing only two or three minutes in a game and producing, but our guys are getting much better at it.”

Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn sets his feet before making a three-pointer in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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Carney led Butler with 21 points, four assists and four rebounds. Littlejohn had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Tayt Lucas scored 10 points and Forbes scored nine off the bench.

Blundo paced New Castle with 24 points and four assists. J.T. Warren had 13 points nd 15 rebounds, but the ‘Canes slipped to 1-6 in the section standings.

“We’re not used to being there,” Coach Blundo admitted. “But we’re still trying to do everything we can to make the playoffs.”

Butler’s Ayden Davis comes up with a loose ball against New Castle in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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“That’s a playoff-caliber team,” C;ement said of New Castle. “Beating them twice in a season is hard. This was a nice win for us.”

NEW CASTLE 57

Butler’s Tayt Lucas is introduced into the starting lineup during a Section 1 Class 6A meeting with New Castle at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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Noriega Jackson 0-2 0-0 0 0, Damian Harrison 3-11 1-1 7, Kyrell Harris 3-11 0-0 6, Ralphie Blundo 7-11 7-7 24, J.T. Warren 6-10 1-1 13, Nate McKnight 2-2 0-0 4, Damarian Young 1-2 0-0 3, Chase Lemmon 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-49 99 57.

Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn breaks past New Castle’s Chase Lemmon in a Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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BUTLER 70

Mavrik Clement 0-0 0-0 0, Donovan Carney 7-15 3-3 21, Ayden Davis 0-1 1-2 1, Braylon Littlejohn 5-8 9-12 20, Jordan Epps 2-3 1-1 6, Tayt Lucas 4-6 0-0 10, Ayden Andrews 0-0 0-0 0, Stainton Forbes 3-3 2-3 9, Coleton Welter 0-1 0-0 0, Andrew Gettinger 1-3 1-1 3, Kaden Blatt 0-1 0-0 0, Grayden Brown 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-42 17-23 70.

Butler’s Jordan Epps goes up-and-under for a layup despite the defense of New Castle’s Kyrell Harris in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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New Castle 11 12 13 21 — 57

Butler 8 20 27 15 — 70

Butler’s Braylon Littlejohn goes up for a layup as New Castle’s Damian Harrison defends in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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3-point goals: New Castle 4 (Blundo 3, Young), Butler 9 (Carney 4, Epps, Lucas 2, Forbes, Littlejohn)

Butler’s Donovan Carney makes a break for the basket as New Castle’s Damian Harrison defends in Section 1 Class 6A action at Butler High School on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Butler won in a 70-57 final. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle (01/30/24)

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JV: New Castle, 48-46 in OT (NC: Qualin Davis 13, Rondell McClinton 13, Chase Lemmon 12); B: Andrew Gettinger 13, Jordan Epps 12, Ayden Andrews 12)

Friday: Butler at North Allegheny