Bears dominant at home this week—drop two on the road
Briar Griffin will take it himself when he feels the need.
By Greg Moore
Banner Sports Editor
With four games in six days this past week, the Butler County Bears basketball team is showcasing their ability to run the court as if they are in late-season form. After starting the week relinquishing an opportunity to advance in the 2A State Tournament in a battle at Warren East on Monday night, the Bears took it out on 3rd region opponent, the Owensboro Red Devils, at home on Tuesday night.
In the 71-66 loss to the Raiders, the Bears led after the first quarter of play, 19-18. However, the hosts used the second and third quarters to pull ahead by the difference in the game, five points. Warren East played physical and relentless throughout despite the Bears’ valiant efforts.
Although East shot 53% from the field compared to 38% by the Bears, it was the type of baskets from the Raiders that beat the visiting Bears. Multiple looks on the offensive-end and penetration into the paint helped propel the aggressive inside game played by the home squad. East was plus nine in the rebounding category, which was the only other glaring stat line.
Butler County came out the next night with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder; and as a result, Coach Rod Drake’s and his Owensboro Red Devils’ heads were spinning. The Bears dismantled them in the first quarter of action at the Bears’ den. Having amassed a 30-11 advantage in the first, the Bears allowed the visitors to make some runs throughout the remainder of the contest to make it a 91-81 final score, but never in question.
Again, the Bears had to fight hard in the paint as the Red Devils crashed the boards, but fortunately, better shooting, especially the opening period, proved the more dominant team on the night. BC ran a balanced-attack on the night, putting four starters in double-figure scoring.
After two days not in action, the Bears came out and roasted 12th district foe, Whitesville Trinity, on homecoming night, Friday the 13th. Senior point-guard, Ty Price, helped his cause for scoring leader in the state. Price amassed 50 points and could have easily broke BCHS’s 1991 graduate, Chris Bratcher’s 52-point single game record.
Ty Price with the left-handed scoop.
After the 99-56 thrashing of Trinity, the Bears rested overnight before heading to Louisville for a showdown with a strong Jeffersontown team in a 2:30 tipoff. The Chargers closed out to upend the Bears, 81-72; tragically, the biggest loss came in the second quarter when the Bears’ sixth-man, Clayton Deweese, went down with a nasty ankle injury.
Deweese plays that tough, physical, do whatever it takes role for Coach Dockery. Against the Warren East Raiders, Deweese came in and led the team with seven of their 23 total rebounds. Coach Dockery will rely on senior Case Hooten to be that first man off the bench, but the coach will be forced to go with others who have seen limited floor time at the varsity speed level.
Trever Deweese shown laying it in easily.
After hosting Apollo on Monday, Butler County (3-2) will travel back to Louisville on Wednesday to play at Fairdale, who lost to Evangel Christian in last year’s 6th Region Championship, in another road battle for the tested Bears. The Bulldogs are 5-2 on the season.
After Christmas, the Bears will receive another top-tier opponent when they travel to Lexington on the 27th to face North Laurel (4-1) and owns a one-point win over Jeffersontown. Games like these help prepare the Bears for another run to claim back-to-back 3rd Region Championships.
Mon 12/9
BC Bears 19 19 14 14 66
WE Raiders 18 21 18 14 71
Price 33, J. Castlen 16, T. Deweese 6, Griffin 4,
Murphy 4, C. Deweese 3
Tues 12/9
Red Devils 11 28 18 24 81
BC Bears 30 18 19 24 91
Price 36, T. Deweese 20, Castlen 16, Griffin 10,
Murphy 7, C. Deweese 2
