Girls Basketball: Lockport can’t catch Marist

Updated: December 5, 2011 8:58PM

Marist’s Randyll Butler isn’t picky.

If the RedHawks are scoring, the senior guard doesn’t care whether she’s putting the ball in the basket or the one dishing it out.

Running a ball movement clinic in the first half, host Marist raced to a 22-point halftime lead Monday on the way to a 67-33 win over Lockport.

“A basket is a basket, and I like it,” Butler said with a smile. “It doesn’t matter for me who scores as long as we’re scoring. It’s a fun way to play, pass, pass, pass.”

Leah Bolton had 19 points and six rebounds for Marist (9-0), with JeTaun Rouse adding 13 points and four assists. Butler finished with six points and five assists.

Taylor Quain had 17 points and five rebounds for Lockport (2-3).

Scoring 18 first-half baskets, pass-happy Marist recorded an assist on 16 of the buckets, many coming on fast-break opportunities set up by the RedHawks defense. Butler had three assists as part of a 24-4 game-opening run, including a highlight-reel pass to end the first period.

From just inside halfcourt on a fast break, Butler found Rouse for an alley-oop layup before the buzzer sounded.

“Our goal is to always keep running, keep on the fast break and keep the defense on their heels,” Butler said. “I’ve played with these girls for so long it’s easy to know where you do or don’t like the ball.”

Lockport shot 6-for-20 from the field in the first half while turning the ball over 12 times. For the Porters, coach Krista Peterson hopes her team took something away from the loss.

“It’s definitely a learning experience for us,” Peterson said. “Just (Marist’s) level of intensity, their athleticism ... and it’s something we’ll face in our conference (SouthWest Suburban Blue). It prepares us, and it shows where we’re at and where we need to keep working to get at.”

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