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PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Bears look to reload for 2014-15 campaign

Coming off a 14-11 record and another 12th District championship, the Butler County High School Bears' basketball team is hoping to reload for its 2014-15 season.  To do so, Coach Calvin Dockery's Bears will have to replace three seniors that loomed large in the program over the past few years.   
"We lost three seniors who each contributed.  Zeke Woodcock provided a great deal of experience, Trevor Jenkins’ size and shooting will be missed, as well, and Drew Henderson played some big minutes defensively for us last year," said Dockery.  

Seniors: Garrett Cardwell, Jake Martin, Zack Burden and Caleb Deweese (not pictured Kendall Cardwell).

According to Dockery, John Payton, Blake Graham, and Baylee Anderson, as well as others, will be looked on to fill those holes, as well as senior guards Zack Burden, Caleb Deweese, and Rex Henderson - all returning starters and key players from last season.
Looking toward the first game, Coach Dockery has a few line-up options he is considering but nothing is set in stone.   
"Right now I have a good idea of who will start but competition could make some shifts happen," said Dockery.

Junior Austin Nave (not pictured John Payton)
The Bears have a deep roster of players from which to draw at the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen levels.  Other seniors are Kendall Cardwell, Jake Martin, and Garrett Cardwell.  Joining Payton in the junior class is Austin Nave; sophomores include Kaleb Hunt, Kenton Flener, and Dilan McCoy; freshmen are Will Moore, Brennan Grubb, Caleb Beasley, Easton Phelps, Patton Allen, and Andrew Henry; 8th graders on the roster are Justin Elms, Walter Givens, and Matthew Gill.

Sophomores:  Kaleb Hunt, Baylee Anderson, Kenton Flener, Rex Henderson, and Dilan McCoy (not pictured Blake Graham).
"We have a good group of young talent and there will be a learning curve this year, but we believe we have the talent to compete," said Dockery.
Although offense puts points on the board, the coach feels like defense is going to curcial for his team's success this season.
"We are going to have to be tenacious on the defensive end," said Dockery.  We have the ability to do it and do it well if everyone buys into the effort it will take to carry it out."

Freshmen:  Andrew Henry, Will Moore, Patton Allen, Caleb Beasley, and Brennan Grubb (not pictured Easton Phelps)

With district foes Trinity, Edmonson and Grayson County, as well as other regional opponents, Coach Dockery expects strong competition as the season progresses.  
 "The 12th District should be very competitive and the region may be as tough as it has been in a long time," said Dockery.  "There certainly are some very good teams with Division 1 talent."
Assisting Dockery courtside will be Chad Bratcher (Freshman/Varsity Assistant); Steve Mclean (JV/Varsity Assistant); and Jonathan Bates (Varsity Assistant).

Below are links to the team roster and schedules for the varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen. 

2014-15 BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTERS.docx

BUTLER COUNTY BEARS1 2014-15.docx

BCHS BEARS FRESHMAN SCHEDULE (4).docx

The Bears open their season on Friday, December 5, at home against Hancock County.  The junior varsity game is set for 6 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Most games will be aired live on "The New Q" 101.5 FM WLBQ/Morgantown.  

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

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