Butler’s Ethan Morton named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year
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Thursday, March 26, 2020 | 10:35 AM
Butler’s Ethan Morton celebrates after being fouled in overtime during a WPIAL Class 6A semifinal against Upper St. Clair Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Robert Morris University.
Butler’s Ethan Morton (25) celebrates after beating Mt. Lebanon in their WPIAL Class 6A championship game at Petersen Events Center on Feb. 29, 2020.
Upper St. Clair’s Landon Rauch pressures Butler’s Ethan Morton during their PIAA Class 6A second round state playoff game Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at UPMC Events Center in Moon.
The Butler boys basketball team still has a shot to win a PIAA Class 6A title if the season continues.
If the Golden Tornado take the floor together again, they will do so with the best player in the state.
Senior guard Ethan Morton was named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year on Thursday.
The Purdue recruit, who led Butler to the WPIAL Class 6A title last month, averaged 23.4 points, 13 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game this season.
The 6-foot-6 guard also is a two-time all-state selection.
Butler’s quest for a state title was put on hold when PIAA officials suspended the postseason tournament in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. No date for a restart has been decided.
Congratulations @EthanMorton_24 on being named PA @Gatorade POY! An incredible honor for a great player and even better person! Butler is proud of your commitment to this community!
@GTathletics1 @Butler_Area_SD @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/09h33uvloM— Matt Clement (@mclem31) March 26, 2020
Morton is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. Past winners include Karl-Anthony Towns (2013, 2014), Dwight Howard (2004), Chris Bosh (2002), Paul Pierce (1995), Chauncey Billups (1994, 1995) and Jason Kidd (1992).
Past Pennsylvania award winners include Kennedy Catholic’s Oscar Tshiebwe (2019), Mars’ Robby Carmody (2018), Westtown School’s Mohamed Bamba (2017), Reading’s Lonnie Walker (2016) and Haverford’s Levan Shawn Alston (2015).
Check out a list of honorees from around the country here.
Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.
Tags: Butler
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