Bears fall to Evangel Christian in Sweet 16

Fri, 03/22/2024 - 11:05am — Steve Lemaster

LEXINGTON — Butler County suffered a season-ending loss as Evangel Christian pulled away to win 71-60 in the opening round of the KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Thursday, March 21.

The loss eliminated Butler County from the KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament. Butler County exited the 2023-24 boys' high school basketball season 23-9.

Evangel Christian advanced to the quarterfinals of the KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament. With the win, Evangel Christian improved to 30-6.

Evangel Christian carried a lead out of each quarter, outscoring Butler County 18-15 in the opening quarter.

Remaining out in front midway through the matchup, Evangel Christian led 35-26 at halftime.

Maintaining an advantage after the intermission period, Evangel Christian led 51-43 at the end of the third quarter.

Evangel Christian shot 50 percent (27-of-54) from the field. The Eagles shot 35.7 percent (five-of-14) from three-point range.

Evangel Christian shot 60 percent (12-of-20) from the free throw line.

Christian Doerr scored a game-high 21 points to lead Evangel Christian to the win. Joining Doerr in double figures for Evangel Christian, Davier White netted 18 points and Isaiah Chitapa posted 10 points.

Narrowly missing double figures for Evangel Christian, Kyran Tilley added nine points and Ben Mukadi contributed eight points.

Chipping in offensively, Brayden Trice (four points) and Johnny Djema (one point) provided the rest of Evangel Christian's scoring.

Butler County shot 41.4 percent (24-of-58) from the field. The Bears shot 21.7 percent (five-of-23) from three-point range.

Butler County shot 70 percent (seven-of-10) from the free throw line.

Lawson Rice scored 19 points to lead the Bears. Joining Rice in double figures for Butler County, Justin Castlen posted 16 points and Ty Price netted 12 points. Castle recorded a double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds.

Barely missing double figures for the Bears, Trever Deweese added nine points.

Rounding out Butler County's scoring, Briar Griffin posted four points.

The Bears will return to the court over the offseason. Butler County will be looking to repeat as 3rd Region champion in the 2024-25 boys' high school basketball season, which will tip off in late-November.