With early season victories against WPIAL Class AAAA preseason No. 2 Bethel Park and at North Allegheny (for only the second time in nine years), the Butler Area High School girls' basketball team appears to be back on track.

The Golden Tornado (9-2, 2-0 in Section 3-AAAA) is ready to return to the playoffs after its run of six consecutive appearances was halted during last season's disappointing 10-14 campaign.

Serious knee injuries to three key players last season were partially to blame for the program's rare losing record.

This season, Butler is basically healthy and poised to make a run at the Section 3-AAAA title despite the presence of preseason favorites New Castle (11-0, 4-0) and Seneca Valley (10-2, 4-0).

"We had a pretty good offseason and we were just praying that we didn't have the type of injuries that we had last year," Butler coach Dorothea Epps said. "I felt if we could keep everybody healthy, we should be OK this year and so far we've been able to do that."

Butler has returned all five players who finished last season as starters, including 6-foot junior forward Amy Achesinski, a three-year starter averaging 18 points per game.

The other key returnees are 5-5 senior point guard Ashley Nocera, 5-8 junior guards Rachel Barry and Maria Broffio and 6-foot senior forward Samantha Karn.

Players who play important roles off the bench include 5-9 senior guard Michelle Ritchie, 5-11 senior guard/forward Abby Herrit, 5-5 sophomore guard Lyndsy Day, 5-9 senior guard Julie Ehrman and 5-11 junior center/forward Elizabeth Schultz.

"We play a lot of kids every game so we stay fresh, which enables us to pressure teams a lot," Epps said.

Butler claimed the championship of its own holiday tournament last week, defeating Franklin Regional in the title game, 48-47.

Butler also won two of three games the week before at the Rock Holiday Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The only loss was to Kentucky state powerhouse Graves County, 60-53.

Butler has scored an impressive 56-36 victory against highly regarded Bethel Park in the final of the Butler tip-off tournament on Dec. 3.

"That was a good win for our squad just for a confidence booster to feel like we can play with teams of that caliber although we know their best player [6-foot senior Maureen Hester] didn't play because she was injured," Epps said.

"And winning on NA's floor really gave them confidence because it's been awhile since we won on their floor. It's very difficult to win there. We're happy with where we're at so far, but we know the challenges that lie ahead."

Butler also won its Section 3 basketball opener just prior to leaving for Florida by earning a 46-39 decision at rival NA Dec. 13.

A section home game Dec. 15 against Pine-Richland had to be postponed because of the Florida trip. It has been rescheduled for Jan. 10.

Before Tuesday's section game at Shaler -- a 53-34 victory -- Butler was the only team in Section 3-AAAA that had not yet played at least three section games.

"Every game we have left on the schedule is going to be a section game so every game is going to be a battle," Epps said.

"We've played some quality teams so we're hoping that will help us in our section play. We hope that we've learned from all our wins and our losses so far and that it will pay off for us in section play."

Every team in Section 3-AAAA has a winning overall record to date with the exceptions of Pine-Richland and North Hills.

"You can't take them for granted either," Epps said. "There is no way you can go into any of these games in our section thinking you're going to have an easy night."HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL