Beech Tree News Network

  Monday night the BCMS Bears traveled to Drake’s Creek Middle School for their fifth road game of the season.  Both seventh grade teams started out in a defensive battle making it difficult for either team to score.  The first quarter ended quietly with a tie score of 4-4.  In the second quarter, however, the Gator of Drake’s Creek found the basket after several Bear turnovers to bring the score to 20-7 at halftime.  Justin Elms was taking it to the rack for the Bears and was able to draw several fouls.  He went 5 of 6 from the free throw line and had a total of 9 points.  Also scoring for the Bears was Colton Bratcher with 4, Sage Graham 3, and Jaden Hurt 2.  The final score was 35-18.

The eighth grade game was intense from start to finish.  The Bears took the lead after an 11-11 tie at the end of the first quarter and kept it until the final 4 second of the game.  With a 4 point lead and 23 seconds left on the clock, Coach Donaldson took his final timeout to play strategy and prepare for the final seconds of the game.  The Bears had several opportunities to close the deal and come away with a win but just couldn’t seem to get it done.  The biggest story of the night was missed free throw opportunities by the Bears.  They were 13 of 31 from the free throw line.  Will Moore turned on for the Bears, after being scoreless in the first quarter, to score 16 points.  Also scoring was Brennan Grubb with 8, Easton Phelps 5, Brendan Shanklin 3, and Patton Allen 2.  The Bears came away with a tough loss by 1 after a last second 3 point Gator shot.  The final score was 44-43.

On Tuesday night the Bears had their much awaited first home game of the season.  With a good crowd there to cheer them on, the Bears squared off against the Muhlenberg South Suns.  The seventh grade team had trouble finding the basket throughout the game and were only able to put a total of 15 points on the board.  Matthew Gill came in in the fourth quarter for the Bears and pulled 3 rebounds to lead the team in rebounding.  Scoring for the Bears was Colton Bratcher with 6, Justin Elms 4, Sam Burns 3, and Sage Graham 2.

The eighth grade game, once again, was full of excitement.  It was a fast paced run and gun start to the game.  Both teams were moving the ball quite well, but the Suns outrebounded the Bears and were able to outscore them with second point opportunities.  The Bears found themselves down by 8 at halftime.  The Bears came out of halftime and played a great third quarter.  Brennan Grubb was able to capitalize on several run out plays from excellent passes by Will Moore, Skyler Moore, and Brendan Shanklin.  Fueled by this and the roar of the crowd, the Bears were able to pull in within one.  However, the Suns responded with a rally of their own and pulled out the win 53-40.  Brennan Grubb had 17 points.  Brendan Shanklin 8, Caleb Beasley 4, Will Moore 4, Patton Allen 4, Neil Bewley 2, and Easton Phelps 1.

The Bears play Ohio County at home on Monday night before the travel to Muhlenberg South on Tuesday to get a couple of games in before Thanksgiving Break.  Come out and show your support for these boys!

Story by Kim Grubb, Beech Tree News

Photos by Jeremy Hack, Beech Tree News