Tornado girls roll by Deer Lakes
Lewandowski nets 20 in 58-30 runaway

By John Enrietto
Eagle Sports Editor 

KITTANNING — Seconds into the game, Deer Lakes senior guard Cassidy Chmura drained a 3-pointer. 
It was a sign of things to come — for Butler. 
The Golden Tornado scored the next 10 points, went on to sink eight treys and cruised to a 58-30 girls basketball victory over the Lancers Saturday in the consolation game of the Armstrong Tip-Off Tournament. 
It was a welcome sign for a program that won only three games all of last season. 
“Yeah, this did feel like a breakout game for us,” second-year Butler coach Joe Lewandowski said. “I know we can shoot the ball and the shots went in today. 
“Yesterday (39-31 Friday loss to West Shamokin), we weren't ourselves. We were missing layups, the girls were so nervous. Today, we settled down.” 
Mia Rader and freshman forward Kylee Lewandowski drained treys during that early 10-point Butler run. Lewandowski went on to score 20 points, sink five treys, grab five rebounds and dish out four assists. 
She is the daughter of the Butler head coach. 
“This game should give her a lot of confidence,” Coach Lewandowski said. “But as a team, we worked the ball around well. Our passing set up some open shots for her.” 
His daughter agreed. 
“My teammates set me up for those shots. I had open looks,” she said. “I loved the way we passed the ball and worked together.” 
The Golden Tornado (1-1) had a 30-11 lead by halftime. A three-point play by Alyssa Eyth upped that margin to 20 at 33-13 midway through the third quarter. 
Deer Lakes (1-1) went on a 12-4 run through the end of the quarter, cutting the gap to 37-25 with eight minutes to play. The Lancers sank three treys during that surge. 
“It was good to see us start making some shots,” Deer Lakes coach Jimmy Petruska said. “We had trouble scoring in this tournament. 
“We started this game with no energy. I think our girls were surprised the way Butler jumped on them out of the gate. We never really recovered.” 
Deer Lakes won 15 games last year — including a 52-43 triumph over the Tornado in this tournament — but scored just 59 points total over the weekend. 
Butler quickly dashed any Deer Lakes comeback hopes by opening the final quarter with a 16-2 run to put the game away. 
Eyth had 13 points, four assists and three rebounds for Butler while Jenna Kunst contributed nine points, 10 rebounds, three steals and three assists. 
The Tornado enjoyed a 32-19 edge on the boards.

We're playing more as a team now,” Kunst said. “We're coming together — and we're not taking any more stupid fouls.” 
Kunst smiled as she said the latter, after getting herself in foul trouble in Friday's season opener. 
Asked what Kylee Lewandowski brings to the team, Kunst said: “The girl can hit the 3-ball, that's for sure.” 
Julia Gibson had five rebounds for Butler. Rader hit all four of her free throws in the fourth period as Butler pulled away. 
“Definitely a team win. Every girl on the floor played well for us,” Coach Lewandowski said. “These girls showed themselves what they're capable of.” 
Alexa Burke paced Deer Lakes with seven points and four steals. Chmura had six points and three assists for the Lancers. 
DEER LAKES 30 
Anna Solomon 2-6 0-0 4, Victoria Keibler 0-2 0-0 0, Carley Hamners 1-1 0-0 2, Alexa Burke 3-9 0-0 7, Abby Buechel 1-3 0-0 2, Cassidy Chmura 2-11 0-4 6, Marie Schmitzer 1-3 0-0 2, Julia Hollibaugh 1-2 0-0 3, Brooke Kopinski 2-4 0-0 4, Alex Stumop 0-0 0-0 0, Emily Mischen 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 13-43 0-4 30. 
BUTLER 58 
Nicole Pepmeyer 0-1 2-2 2, Audrey Hilliard 0-1 0-0 0, Mia Rader 1-3 4-4 7, Alyssa Eyth 5-9 2-2 13, Kylee Lewandowski 7-9 1-3 20, Jenna Kunst 3-8 2-3 9, Julia Gibson 1-3 1-1 3, Emilee Altman 0-1 0-0 0, Jordan Kaufman 0-0 1-2 1, Emma Monteleone 1-1 0-0 2, Morgan Gage 0-0 1-4 1. Totals: 18-35 14-21 58. 
Deer Lakes 5 6 14 5 — 30 
Butler12 18 7 21 — 58 
3-point goals: Chmura 2, Burke, Hollibaugh; Lewandowski 5, Rader, Eyth, Kunst