Butler takes early command of MVL with win over Tipp

Butler made a statement last week in their 44-38 victory over Tippecanoe in the Miami Valley League opener for both girls basketball teams.

Yes, there is a lot of season left, but with these two teams likely being the top two in the Miami Division, the Aviators set the tone with a victory. Tipp closed the gap to only two points with 4:20 left in the game, only to watch Butler go on a five-point run to secure the win.

“As a team, our bounce back from Monday to today was a huge improvement with growth, so that was good to see,” Tipp coach Christina Pentaudi said. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle and six points is just a few possessions and a few free throws here and there.”

“It didn’t fall our way tonight but I thought we took care of the ball much better than we did on Monday, and that helped us get more possessions. But we just didn’t capitalize on enough of them.”

Courtney Post led the way for Tipp with 12 points and has shown early in the season that her post presence will be a factor in the success of the Red Devils this season.

“Despite our loss on Monday, she also had a good inside game in that game,” Pentaudi said. “She is our big presence inside just with her physicality and determination both offensively and defensively. She will do whatever she needs to do to get the job done.”

Also adding to the offensive attack for Tipp was Emily Aselage with eight points and Laney Cleckner added six.

Freshman Madi Turner started at a guard spot and contributed four quick points in the opening period, including a three-pointer.

Butler was led by Noel Smith with a game high 19 points with 13 coming from Natalie Schoenherr. Butler was playing their first game without all-Ohio guard Sami Bardonaro, who is now playing at USC Upstate.

*Earlier in the week, Tipp opened the season with a 58-30 loss to Beavercreek in the season opener at Tipp. Again, in that game, it was Post who stepped up against a veteran Beavers team with 14 points, nearly half of Tipp’s offense. The next closest scorer was Reece Hoover with four points for Tipp.

The Red Devils traveled to Tecumseh on Monday, December 4 and then head to Troy on Saturday, December 9 for an 11:45 a.m. game.