Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County High School Bears got its 2014-15 season off to a good start last Friday night with a 76-64 win at home against Hancock County.  The win kicked off a three-game set in five days for the Bears, who squared off at home against Breckinridge County on Monday, December 8 and visted McLean County on Tuesday, December 9.  Although both contests were close throughout, Butler County came out on the losing end.  The Bears dropped an 81-73 decision to Breckrindge and suffered a 77-68 loss at McLean.  Butler County is currently without the services of sophomore forward Blake Graham, who is out due to an ankle injury. 

Against Hancock, Butler County grabbed a slim early lead and gradually built on it.  A one-point first-quarter margin turned into a ten-point lead at the half, 37-27.  The Bears increased the lead to 59-44 at the end of three quarters and held on for the comfortable 76-64 win.
Senior guard Zack Burden led the Bears in scoring with 22 points but three of his teammates were also in double figures - Caleb Deweese with 18 points and Baylee Anderson and Rex Henderson with 11 apiece.
Ty Ogle led Hancock with 31 points.

HC    18    9    17    20        64
BC    19    18   22   17        76

Butler County (76):  Burden 22, Deweese 18, Anderson 11, Henderson 11, Payton 7, Moore 7. 

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Sophomore guard Rex Henderson exploded for 27 points on Monday night against Breckinridge County but it wasn't enough as the Bears fell 81-73 at home.  Butler County battled back from a seven point first quarter deficit to tie the game at 36 at the half.  The third quarter proved decisively as the Tigers outscored the Bears 23-14. 

Joining Henderson in double figures was Zack Burden with 18 and Baylee Anderson with 13. 

BR    20    16    23    22        81
BC    13    23    14     23       73

Butler County (73):  Henderson 27, Burden 18, Anderson 13, Payton 5, Deweese 4, Cardwell 4, Flener 2. 

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Butler County was able to snatch two-point lead over McLean on Tuesday night after Zack Burden hit two free throws stemming from a technical foul assesed on McLean for dunking during pregame warm-ups.  However, once out of the gate, the Cougars made up the deficit, sprinting to a 17-13 first-quarter advantage.  But, the Bears kept the game tight throughout and took a one-point lead into the locker room at halftime at 31-30.  In the see-saw game, McLean bounced back in front at 49-47 after three quarters.  The Cougars saved their best for the last quarter, outscoring Butler 28-21 to take the 77-68 win.

Will Hudson and Josh Kirk led McLean in scoring with 20 each.  
With a balanced scoring attack becoming a trademark of this Butler County team, the Bears had four players in double figures:  Zack Burden with 23, Caleb Deweese with 18, Baylee Anderson with 13, and Rex Henderson with 11.

BC    13    18    16    21        68
MC    17    13    19    28        77

Butler County (68):  Burden 23, Deweese 18, Anderson 13, Henderson 11, Payton 3.

"We have played very hard against some teams with talented players.  Overall I am pleased with the progress," said B.C.H.S. head coach Calvin Dockery.  We are playing about nine guys right now.  We have a young team and all three teams we have played have been loaded with junior and senior experience.  We have held our composure against that experience very well," added Dockery.
Dockery said he knew this year's schedule would be demanding  "but our young players are developing every day and our seniors are continuing to do what they do well."

Dockery expects the Bears to continue to show improvement.
"Our upside is big and I am excited to be a part of this program as we continue to work to develop through the course of this season and seasons to come," said Dockery.  "The good thing about basketball is it is a marathon and you have time to peak and get to where you want to be."

Regarding the status of Blake Graham, Coach Dockery said he (Graham) would be re-evaluated soon.
"I would not want to speculate one way or the other about Blake's return other than to say we look forward to him being able to contribute this season," said Dockery. 
Butler County (1-2) will be playing one varsity game only in the Messenger Tipoff Classic on Friday, December 12.  The Bears will play at Hopkins County Central at 7:30 p.m.  Butler County will be back in action on Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16, at home against Todd County Central and Daviess County, respectively. 

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Story by John Embry and photos by Jeremy Hack, Beech Tree News.