The Butler’s were severely injured in a house fire a week ago but are making progress at the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Butler need not say a word because his actions are better than any gift his grandparents could receive as they recover. Butler keeps them close to his heart, and over this past week, he has been all heart.

It sure continues pounding strong.

Butler scored 19 points, including the game’s final six, sinking a game-tying 3-pointer and converting the game-winning three-point play Monday at South Williamsport and the Mounties produced a fabulous comeback, rallying past defending District 4 Class A champion North Penn-Liberty, 54-51. Andrew Walter scored 18 points and South (15-4) won its 10th straight game, erasing an 11-point deficit in the game’s final 4 minutes, 15 seconds.

“It’s been tough. I just play for them,” Butler said. “I know they want me to keep playing hard. I just play with my heart.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Jaymes Carpenter (31) moves under the basket around North Penn-Liberty's Conner Lewis (10) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

So does his younger brother Judah and Butler’s teammates. Judah scored 15 points in a JV game four nights ago and all the Mounties took turns showcasing what has become their trademark resilience, fighting for a thrilling win in a season which has become defined by them.

South has won 10 straight games for the first time this decade and delivered its second exciting comeback win in six nights, closing the game on a 16-2 run after victory hopes appeared to be rapidly fading. Going back to its win against Muncy two Friday’s ago, South has won three of its last four games via fourth quarter comebacks and/or erasing deficits of eight or more points.

“We’ve been in some high-pressure games. I know for some people it can be really tough, but our team has battled through the adversity,” Walter said after scoring seven fourth quarter points and collecting nine rebounds. “This is exactly why you play; for games like this.”

“We’ve had some tough teams in the past, but the way these guys battle and find a way to do it down the stretch no matter who they’re playing or how are their nights have been going stands out,” South coach Joe Simon said. “They just battle and battle and battle.”

Butler has done just that since his grandparents were hurt. Nobody would blame Butler if his play suffered since he is dealing with so much. Instead, a player who already has enjoyed a big breakout season continues elevating his play despite the adversity.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Andrew Walter (1) grabs a rebound away from North Penn-Liberty's Evan McTish (22) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

After scoring 50 points in his previous two games, Butler shook off an off-night shooting and made all the ones which mattered down the stretch, tying the game with 47 seconds remaining and converting the game-winning sequence 26 seconds later. The junior guard produced eight fourth quarter points, ignited the game-ending run with a putback and added four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“That’s a lot to take on for a 16- or 17-year-old to have that kind of accident and traumatic experience happen to your family. It’s really cool seeing him play this well through it all,” Simon said. “I’m sure his dad (staying with the Butler’s) is spreading the word to everyone that he continues to play well, and his younger brother Judah is playing well and gives us a good lift off the bench. They’re tough kids.”

“He’s had a really good mindset through it all,” Walter said. “He’s kind of a sneaky scorer throughout the game and he definitely comes big in big moments. We sort of play off what he does.”

That especially became obvious when Butler’s rebound and ensuing short jumper stopped a North Penn-Liberty run and cut the deficit to nine. After Walter scored eight straight Mountie points, Butler delivered another Onions moment, taking a pass from Chance Quimby in the right corner and drilling the game-tying 3-pointer.

After South forced a turnover on the ensuing North Penn-Liberty possession, Quimby sprinted down the court and hit Butler in stride as he cut from the left side. Butler converted the layup and the ensuing free throw; Bobby Regan made a steal 13 seconds later and South celebrated its latest character victory.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's head coach Joe Simon meets with his players at the start of a high school boys basketball game against North Penn-Liberty at South Williamsport on Monday.

“This shows we keep it together for all four quarters and battle,” Butler said. “We didn’t give up at all. It says a lot about us.”

Following Butler’s putback which ignited the 16-2 run, North Penn-Liberty still seemed in control keeping South scoreless for the next minute. But then super sub Samir Moy (5 assists) found Walter for consecutive baskets and it was, 49-44. Conner Lewis (7 points, 10 rebounds) scored inside to push it to seven, but then Walter put the comeback wheels into turbo motion.

Moy whipped another pass Walter’s way and in a preview of things to come, Walter shot from nearly the same spot Butler would late and drained a 3-pointer while being fouled. Following Walter’s ensuing free throw, South went from believing it could win to playing like a team which knew it would.

“That felt great. I wasn’t even thinking. I just shot the ball, and it went in,” Walter said. “I think it definitely gave us momentum. It gave our team an extra push.”

South needed it because North Penn-Liberty (12-8) pushed it so hard all night. The Mounties erased a seven-point first quarter deficit, cut it to one by halftime and dominated the third quarter, going up 10 before Butler created four quick points in the final seconds, making it, 44-38 entering the fourth.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent North Penn-Liberty's Luke Kreger (11) moves towards the basket around South Williamsport's defense during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

Experienced, strong and quick, North Penn-Liberty also relentlessly competed with Evan McTish grabbing 14 rebounds, Lewis 10 and Luke Kreger eight. Kreger also scored 18 points and his layup off a Landon Mattern assist gave North Penn-Liberty its biggest lead, 49-38. Brody Grinnell opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, scoring nine points and making four steals.

“Those guys just battle and are tough,” Simon said. “We told their coaches they’re going to have a legitimate chance in Single A again if they play like that.”

North Penn-Liberty put South on the ropes, but a group of fighters again slugged their way back. Regan made three steals and South’s defense increased the pressure, allowing just two points over the game’s final 6:15. One could say it wasn’t South’s ‘A’ game, but it certainly passed another demanding test.

The Mounties will continue trying to ace the exams Saturday against Bucktail. South will be holding elementary, junior high, JV and varsity games that day with all the proceeds going to the Butler family.

Through the tough times, Butler and the Mounties continue rallying around each other.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent North Penn-Liberty's Evan McTish (22) looks for a shot around South Williamsport's Andrew Walter (1) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

“If I need anything, they’re there for me. They’re definitely a big help,” Butler said. “Ever since the new year, we’ve become more like a family.”

NPL (51)

Luke Kreger 8 2-3 18, Evan McTish 4 1-2 9, Conner Lewis 3 1-2 7, Landon Mattern 2 1-2 6, Brody Grinnell 4 0-0 9, Sudan Benner 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 5-9 51.

SOUTH (54)

Levi Butler 8 1-1 19, Andrew Walter 6 4-5 18, Chance Quimby 3 0-0 8, Bobby Regan 2 0-0 4, Neeko Bowen 1 0-0 2, Jaymes Carpenter 1 0-0 2, Samir Moy 1 1-4 1. Totals 20 6-10 54.

NPL 9 19 16 7–51

South 14 15 9 16–54

3-pointers: NPL 2 (Mattern, Grinnell); South 6 (Butler 2, Walter 2, Quimby 2).

Records: South 15-4. North Penn-Liberty 12-8.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Levi Butler (15) brings the ball past North Penn-Liberty's Evan McTish (22) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Samir Moy (2) snags a rebound away from North Penn-Liberty's Evan McTish (22) and Conner Lewis (10) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent North Penn-Liberty's Evan McTish (22) looks for a shot around South Williamsport's Jaymes Carpenter (31) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent North Penn-Liberty's Luke Kreger (11) moves towards the basket around South Williamsport's Levi Butler (15) during a high school boys basketball game at South Williamsport on Monday.