BUTLER TWP —When the shots went in, Butler kicked into gear — and ran away.

The Golden Tornado exploded for a 32-point second quarter, had a 32-point lead by halftime and coasted with the mercy clock running from there in defeating Obama Academy, 71-43, Friday night in the opening round of the Butler Tip-Off Tournament.

Avonworth defeated Knoch, 74-60, in the first game of the tourney.

“I wasn’t expecting a lead like that at halftime, not a bit,” Butler coach Matt Clement said. “I challenged the kids in the locker room to keep up the intensity and come out strong in the second half.

“A lot of these kids saw the first varsity minutes of their lives tonight. I couldn’t be more pleased with how we played.”

The Tornado sank only six of 18 shots from the field in the first quarter, but still had a 13-4 lead by period’s end. Butler lit up the scoreboard in the second period, sinking 12 of 17 shots, including five treys. Madden Clement had four of them, scoring all 15 of his points in the second quarter.

“It was only a matter of time before we started hitting shots,” junior Braylon Littlejohn said. “Once we did, I felt like we would pull away because we were doing everything else well.”

Butler had a 62-26 lead by the end of the third quarter. The Tornado freely substituted most of the game and Coach Clement emptied his bench in the fourth quarter.

Butler’s regulars turned the ball over only once in the first three quarters. Obama Academy had 11 turnovers during that stretch. The Tornado enjoyed a 36-20 edge in rebounding.

“We’re going to be the smaller team on the floor most nights,” Coach Clement said. “If we rebound the ball, we’ll be tough to beat because we’re pretty good when we get out and run.”

Littlejohn led the Tornado with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Colin Casteel scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds in his first varsity start. Mac Schnur had six rebounds, Ayden Davis five boards.

“Our team is much more balanced this year,” Littlejohn said. “With Colin able to shoot as our inside guy, all five starters can contribute offensively.”

Freshman Donovan Carney had nine points for the Tornado.

Avonworth 74, Knoch 60

Playing a Class 3A state semifinalist from last year and starting three freshmen, Knoch trailed by only five points entering the fourth quarter.

But the Antelopes began that final frame by outscoring the Knights 20-8 in the first five minutes and went on to a double-digit win.

“Their size wore us down in that fourth quarter,” Knoch coach Alan Bauman said. “They were big and physical, but that’s what these exhibition games are all about. Highlands and Hampton are big, physical teams in our section and we have to get ready to play them.

“This game will help us down the road.”

Knoch certainly had its highlights. Freshman Teagan Finucan came off the bench to lead the Knights with 25 points, hitting five treys. He had five rebounds as well. Jackson Bauman, another freshman, tallied 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.

James Snyder had three assists, three rebounds and two steals off the bench.

“We need Jackson to be a little more decisive with the ball, make quicker decisions, but that will come with time,” Bauman said. “Teagan was outstanding off the bench. Our guys got their feet wet tonight against a very good team.”

Austin Johncour led Avonworth with 23 points and seven rebounds while guard Rowan Carmichael contributed 22 points, five assists and four steals. Peyton Faulkner, who joined Johncour and Cole Hansen in comprising Avonworth’s frontcourt, had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Hansen had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

“Our kids worked their tails off tonight. I’m proud of how hard they fought,” Bauman said. “Like I said, we just wore down.”

AVONWORTH 74

Austin Johncour 8-15 7-9 23, Rowan Carmichael 6-10 6-6 22, Peyton Faulkner 5-9 2-2 13, Matt Farrah 0-0 0-0 0, Brandon Sapolsky 0-2 0-0 0, Gabe Bonnet 1-1 0-0 2, Joel Sommers 1-2 0-0 3, Brandon Biagiarelli 0-0 0-1 0, Cole Hansen 4-8 2-4 10, Dylan Gardner 1-3 1-4 3. Totals: 25-50 18-26 74.

KNOCH 60

Jackson Bauman 5-10 2-5 14, Derek Lang 2-8 0-0 5, James Snyder 0-2 2-2 2, Gasparo Porco 1-2 0-0 3, Jay Allen 0-0 0--0 0, Teagan Finucan 9-112-3 25, Zarian Finucan 2-4 1-3 6, Zane Pacek 0-0 0-0 0, Jackson Pacek 0-0 2-2 2, Kaden Spencer 1-3 1-4 3. Totals: 20-40 10-21 60.

Avonworth 8 16 17 33 — 74

Knoch 13 8 15 24 — 60

3-point goals: Avonworth 6 (Carmichael 4, Faulker, Sommers; Knoch 10 (Bauman 2, Lang, Porco, T.Finucan 5, Z.Finucan)

OBAMA ACADEMY 43

Keivan Harris 4-5 2-4 10, Tarrien Perkins 6-13 0-0 13, Seth Small 1-2 2-2 4, Xavier Rodgers 4-10 1-2 10, Naron Jackson 1-9 0-0 2, Tysair Anderson 0-1 0-0 0, Jake Grosse 1-1 1-2 4. Totals: 17-42 6-10 43.

BUTLER 71

Braylon Littlejohn 7-11 3-3 18, Donovan Carney 4-6 0-0 9, Ryan McLister 0-1 0-0 0, Ayden Davis 3-6 0-0 6, Madden Clement 5-11 1-2 15, Mac Schnur 2-3 0-1 4, Ryan Porch 1-1 0-0 3, Tayt Lucas 0-6 0-0 0, Coleton Welter 0-0 2-2 2, Mavrik Clement 0-1 0-0 0, Colin Casteel 5-7 0-0 11, James Desmond 1-2 0-0 3. Totals: 28-55 6-8 71.

Obama Academy 4 9 13 17 43

Butler 13 32 17 9 — 71

3-point goals: Obama Academy 3 (Perkins, Rodgers, Grosse), Butler 9 (Littlejohn, Carney, Mad. Clement 4, Porch, Casteel)

Saturday: Butler Tournament-Obama Academy vs. Knoch, 2 p.m.; Avonworth vs. Butler, 3:30 p.m.