Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Week: Butler’s Ethan Morton

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 14, 2019 | 7:51 PM

Ethan Morton

School: Butler

Class: Junior

Let’s be honest, Ethan Morton is one of the top players in the district, period. So anytime the 6-foot-6 junior laces them up and hits the court, he could be our Trib HSSN Player of the Week.

But it’s hard to look in a different direction this week after Morton had one of the best games in a losing effort in WPIAL history.

In a battle for first place at Pine-Richland in Section 1-6A on Tuesday, Morton made 20 of 31 shots from the field and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line, but his 51 points was not enough for the Golden Tornado as they lost to the Rams, 79-74.

The 51 points from Morton set a Butler record, but it was not worth celebrating.

“The reason Ethan is such a special kid is he would have rather have scored zero if it meant winning the game,” Butler coach Matt Clement explained. “A lot of players talk that way, but few of them mean it. His personal accomplishments are the last thing he is worried about.”

Morton’s performance nearly set a new record for most points in a losing effort in WPIAL history, believed to be set in 1990 when Maude Searcy of Wilkinsburg scored 57 in a 75-73 loss to Monaca.

Clement has watched Morton work his magic in a Butler uniform for two and a half years and feels his game on Tuesday was special.

“He has had quite a few individual efforts that have been impressive over the last three years,” he said. “I would say the part that was most impressive is he was 22 of 30 from the field, and he had eight assists to go with it.”

On Friday, the Golden Tornado bounced back when they rolled to a 76-57 victory over Central Catholic as Morton led all scorers with a mere mortal 27 points.

Morton is drawing serious attention from opponents and coaches as he has received several major college scholarships.

Coach Clement feels his work ethic is a huge part of his scholastic success.

“I think the hours he has spent training physically and just being an older, more experienced player are making a big difference to help him improve in all areas.”

Butler will conclude the first half of section play Tuesday when they visit Seneca Valley. The Golden Tornado are 10-3 overall and 3-1 in the section, good for second place, one game behind Pine-Richland.

“We are probably the youngest team in 6A,” Clement said. “But I feel we are growing up especially playing the majority of our games on the road this year. There are a lot of great teams in 6A so we have our work cut out for us.”

Honorable mention

Dan Petcash, Pine-Richland

Morton wasn’t the only player putting on a show in last week’s Butler at Pine-Richland 6A showdown. Petcash scored 28 points, including the game-clinching free throws in the game’s final 10 seconds to lift the Rams into sole possession of first place in Section 1-6A. There was no let down for Petcash or any of his teammates on Friday when he scored 29 points in the Rams 92-67 drubbing of North Hills.

Malik Ramsey, California

After losing two of their first three section games, California picked up two wins last week to get back in the hunt in Section 2-2A. Ramsey played a big part in the team’s perfect week, which started when he scored 28 points in the Trojans’ 64-55 victory over Brentwood. Then, the 6-4 junior turned it up a notch with a game-high 35 points as California scored 31 fourth-quarter points to wipe out a 15-point deficit in a 75-70 upset of Jeannette.

Isiah Warfield, Sewickley Academy

Last week, Nate Ridgeway was named the Trib HSSN Player of the Week. Now we tip our cap to his teammate on the two-time defending WPIAL Class 2A champions. Warfield was one of three Panthers to reach double-digit scoring on Tuesday as Sewickley Academy routed Burgettstown, 81-45. Then on Friday, Warfield scored 42 points in a 73-48 triumph over Laurel that sets the stage for a battle for first place in Section 3-2A on Tuesday when Sewickley Academy visits Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Don Rebel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Don at drebel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TheDonRebel.

Tags: Butler