Beech Tree News Network

With the kickoff of the 2015-16 high school basketball season this week, both Butler County squads are hoping to improve on their 2014-15 results. 
The Butler County Lady Bears finished up at 5-22, while the Bears wrapped last season with an 8-19 mark.  Both teams had significant lossess to graduation but have returning players poised to step up and play key roles this season.
The Lady Bears open tonight at home against Hancock County, while the Bears will open on the road at Breckinridge County on Thursday, December 3.  The girls travel to Owensboro on Tuesday before returning home on Thursday to host Russellville.  The boys wrap up the week with a trip to Thomas Nelson on Saturday. 
Although the Lady Bears lost only one senior to graduation, she was a significant contributor.
"Our only loss to graduation was Shawna West. Shawna took on the role of becoming the point guard her senior year and worked tirelessly to become the best she could for her team," said Lady Bear head coach Brian Bivens.  "She will be greatly missed and we wish her continued success as she has moved on to Campbellsville University."
Bivens expects several players to be vying for major varsity time this season. 
"We have several young ladies returning from a year ago that now have a significant amount of varsity playing time," said Bivens.  "Callie Cardwell returns as our only senior and has had a really good pre-season. Allie Easley, Cheyenne White, and Maddie Cardwell give us a good set of guards. Maddy Murphy, Addison Hall, and Kasidy Graham make up our post presence, along with a healthy Chloe Flener. Karson Inscoe is out for another week or two after having her knee scoped and will also factor into the varsity rotation," added Bivens.
Building on the team concept and working hard are two factors, according to Bivens, that his team needs to do in order to be successful this season. 
"I think our willingness to play as a team and play for each other will be our biggest asset this year. These young ladies have played together for several years now. They know each other well and they’re not selfish on the court," said Bivens.  "I also believe that we have to have an unmatched intensity on the floor. We have to be willing to outwork our opponent each time we cross the line onto the floor."
Coach Bivens expects a schedule similar to what the team faced last year, though with some changes. 
"We had a few schedule changes from last year. I really like how our schedule looks this year. We have a few games that we should win, and we have a few games that are going to test us a bit," said Bivens.  "The district doesn’t look to have changed much. Everyone is still chasing Grayson County.  Edmonson County did lose a good point guard to graduation but should be just as good, if not better, than last year. Trinity should be better this year as well," said Bivens. 
Joining Bivens on the coaching staff for 2015-16 are Lexie Smith and Barry Frazier.  Coach Bivens feels like both are tremendous assets to the program. 
"Lexie Smith is back again this year and is a very important piece of the Lady Bears basketball family. She will be head coach of our freshmen and JV squads, as well as assisting at the varsity level. She has been a part of Lady Bears basketball in some capacity for several years now and I’m so thankful that she is back for another year," said Bivens.
Coach Barry Frazier, a longtime BCHS Football assistant coach, has also been an assistant boys' basketball coach and an assistant softball coach in the past. 
"Coach Frazier is a very nice addition to our staff because of his knowledge of the game and the coaching relationship he has with several of the girls from helping with softball the past couple of years," said Bivens.  "He will mainly be assisting at the varsity and JV levels, but will help with all levels at practice."

Click the link below for the KHSAA roster and schedule for the Butler County Lady Bears:

http://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kygbk15/?id=47526

BCHS boys' coach Calvin Dockery lost three ot five starters from last year's squad - Zack Burden, Caleb Deweese, Kendall Cardwell.  Returning starters include Baylee Anderson and Rex Henderson, along with Blake Graham.  The Bears have one senior - Austin Nave.  A pair of sophomore guards - Will Moore and Brennan Grubb - will also get plenty of playing opportunities, as will several other players.

Coach Dockery said his team must "play as a unit and be strong defensively" in order to be successful this season.
The boys' 2015-16 schedule is extremely competitive and is designed to make the team stronger down the stretch and hopefully into the post-season.
"We have a tough schedule in December with trips to Breckinridge, Daviess, and Hancock and Ohio County at home.  We believe that these games will help us mature and prepare us for January and February when district games start," said Dockery. 
The coach expects a challenging 12th District schedule as well. 
"Whitesville is picked by most to win our district.  I feel we can compete and have a great opportunity to return to the regional tournament," said Dockery.  "We are young but very coachable and talented. Grayson and Edmonson will be very similar to us."
The Butler County Bears have also partnered with Beech Tree News and WLBQ 101.5 FM to host a Christmas tournament.  Called the BTN/WLBQ Christmas Classic, the tournament will be held December 21 and 22.  Teams include Cumberland County, Holy Cross (Louisville), Hickman County and Bethlehem. 
Several familiar faces will be joining Coach Dockery on the bench this season.  Steve McLean is the varisity assistant coach; Kenny Swift is the junior varsity head coach and a varsity assistant coach; Chad Bratcher will be the freshmen coach; Jon Bates and Elijah Flener are assistants, as well.  Zeke Woodcock will be doing stats, along with help from Aimee Henderson, Amy Gill, and Kim Grubb.  

Click the link below for the KHSAA roster and schedule for the Butler County Bears: 

http://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kybbk15/?id=47255