Beech Tree News Network

After three long weeks, the Butler County Middle School Bears basketball team finally took the floor again for three home games.  Action began Monday night as the Bears hosted Muhlenberg North.  The Bears were rusty from their long absence from the hardwood and it showed.  It took three quarters for the Bears to get the cobwebs cleaned and start playing ball, but it was too little too late, and the Bears fell 41-30. Every Bear player had their turn on the floor to try to spark the Bears.   Will Moore was able to put 15 points on the board for the Bears.  Also scoring was Patton Allen 7, Brendan Shanklin 3, Caleb Beasley 2, Easton Phelps 2, and Brennan Grubb 1.
    Tuesday night the Bears squared off against conference opponent McLean County.  This game was an important one for the Bears.  They needed to get the win and do so by at least 8 points to give them the third seed in the GRVC Tourney.  After a rough outing Monday night, the Bears seemed to have something to prove.  They started out strong, getting an early lead over the Tigers.  Although the two teams stayed pretty close to one another throughout the first half, the game never seemed to be in question.  The Bears seemed determined to get the job done, and they did just that.  All eleven 8th grade players saw playing time with seven of them putting points on the board.  Brennan Grubb was the high point man with 14 points.  Brendan Shanklin was the man keeping the stat keeper busy though with his double double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as well as four steals.  Also scoring in double digits was Will Moore with 10.  Caleb Beasley put in 6, Skyler Moore 6, Neil Bewley 3, and Ernest Lee 2.  The Bears won 51-37.
    Thursday night was 8th Grade Night at BCMS gym and the boys got to show their skills to a packed gymnasium.  The Bears weren't sure what to expect from the Glasgow Scotties because the game with them last year was cancelled due to illness.  One might think that nerves might have gotten the best of the Bears with a packed gym and facing a former UK player, Brandon Stockton, as the head coach for the Scotties.  So, was not the case.  The cheering crowd seemed to fuel the Bears and they started strong, finding themselves with a 13-5 lead at the end of the first quarter before Brennan Grubb and Will Moore went to the bench with foul trouble.  The Scotties clawed back in the second quarter but couldn't pull ahead.  The score at halftime was 19-16.  The second half was a close game, but the Bears led throughout.  Foul trouble continued to plague the Bears as Patton Allen fouled out after being a strong force inside.  The Bears went on to win 42-36.  Brendan Shanklin and Will Moore each had 10 for the Bears.  Brennan Grubb had 9, Easton Phelps 7, Caleb Beasley 4, Skyler Moore 1, and Ernest Lee 1.

The Bears final home game will be Tuesday night.  Come out at 5:30 and cheer them on!

Story by Kim Grubb, Beech Tree News