Five Takeaways: CAL 52, Butler 46

<p style="text-align: center"><strong>Game Summary</strong></p> CAL and Butler are both very talented offensively but in this matchup defense was the main focus. Both teams were struggling to score the ball throughout the game but defense is what kept the game close. After 1 Quarter, Butler led CAL, 21-12. With 1:27 to go in the first half, CAL cut the lead to 5, which led to a Butler timeout. At halftime, Butler led CAL, 31-26. Not much scoring in the first half due to stellar defense from both ball clubs. In the 3rd Quarter, defense really picked up as both teams could not buy a basket. Heading into the 4th Quarter, 40-34 Butler. In the 4th, CAL switched up their defensive scheme and ran a high 2-3 zone, which gave Butler big problems. CAL went on to win the game despite Butler leading pretty much the entire game. <em>Final: CAL 52, Butler 46.</em> <strong>Defense Defense Defense </strong> This game was a lot about defense for these teams. Butler started off with great defense in the first half with great size down-low with Junior Tiarra East &amp; Sophomore Tamesha Dozier. They kept constant pressure in the 1st Quarter and recorded multiple steals throughout the Quarter. For the rest of the game, they lost track of their identity on defense. CAL really came out of halftime with a goal and that was to confuse the Butler offense and run a zone. In the 3rd Quarter they went with a 2-3 Zone on defense and that had Butler putting up difficult shots. In the 4th Quarter, CAL still ran a 2-3 Zone but a high 2-3. This caused a lot of turnovers for Butler and the main reason why CAL went on a run and had won this Thursday night matchup. <strong>Jaya McClure (CAL):</strong> Sophomore point guard Jaya McClure led all scorers with 16 points. She hit four big time free throws down the stretch to seal the game for CAL. Her game is nice but needs work. She had 7 turnovers, including multiple "carry" calls. She needs to limit those turnovers as she is the one running the show for CAL. The point guard can also shoot the ball really well. She made two 3-pointers and made some nice mid-range jumpers. She is very shifty with her movement on the court. She also has excellent dribbling skills. Even though she is only a sophomore, I could sense she is going to be the leader for this team going forward. <strong>Shelby Calhoun (CAL):</strong> <em>Virginia Tech commit</em> Shelby Calhoun did not have her best night shooting the ball but she still managed to record a double-double. She ended the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Calhoun is very patient with the ball. She makes sure that she is going to make the right decision while dribbling and scanning the defense. She can finish at the rim with ease because of her great size and length. Her defense was also something worth noting, as she recorded 2 blocked shots and 4 steals. Shelby Calhoun is looking to have a great Senior year for CAL. <strong>Tiarra East (Butler):</strong> Junior Tiarra East is a big body that can really handle the ball and finish at the rim. She loves to attack the paint as most of her points came inside. East ended with 14 points and 9 rebounds. She recorded 6 turnovers throughout the game, so that is going to have to change in order for this Butler team to become successful because the ball is in her hands quite a bit. This Butler team is mainly made up of talented Juniors. They only have 2 Seniors and they did not contribute as much as the Juniors did. Tiarra East is the glue for this team. There are going to have to be times where Butler just needs to give her the ball and let her go to work. She's going to have a massive year. <strong>Dynastee White (Butler):</strong> Junior point guard Dynastee White is the floor general for this Butler team. She can score the ball in many ways but she likes to attack by penetrating through the defense and scoring under the basket. She ended the game with 10 points with 6 of those points coming from the free throw line. She is going to have to be the leader and vocal point on the offense for Butler this season. She can get her points but she also has to get her teammates involved. Tiarra East, Tamesha Dozier, <span style="font-weight: 400">Khiara</span> Shelburne, and Leslie Baxter are probably going to do most of the scoring for this ball club, but in order for that to happen Dynastee White has to take control and feed them the rock. <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Recap:</strong></p> This was a great matchup. Fairly even teams that showed great defensive strides. I am sure in other games this season both teams will score the ball easier than they did Thursday night. Butler had this game under control until about the 2 minute mark in the 4th Quarter. They had some costly turnovers and got lazy on the defensive end. Sophomore Jaya McClure stepped up and had 9 points in the last 2 minutes, including 4 free throws that sealed the game for CAL. Impressive showing from both squads, but CAL walks away with the victory making them, 2-0. CAL will be traveling to Memphis, TN Friday night to face Whitehaven High School. This was Butler's first game of the year, making them 0-1. They will travel to Lexington, KY this Saturday for the <em>Henry Clay: Top Prospect Classic</em> as they take on Conner High School. I will be in attendance and covering this <em>Classic</em>. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;