BCMS Boys struggle with Breck Co. and Russellville

Thu, 12/19/2013 - 12:24pm — Diane Dyer

“Close, but no cigar” would be an accurate way to describe the BCMS 8th grade boys’ basketball team this season. The Bears battle night after night in games that are only decided by a few points, but just can’t seem to clinch the win. This week was no different. Once again the Bears fought in two close games but couldn’t come out on top as they hosted theTigers from Breckinridge County and traveled to Russellville to face the Panthers.

Coming off of a two game winning streak, the Bears welcomed the Breckinridge County Tigers to their gym. The Bears started out sloppy in the first quarter with eight turnovers and only putting eight points on the board. It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Bears woke up and went on an 11-0 run to bring the score to within 4 at halftime. The Bears came out the second half with an intensified defense only allowing the Tigers to score 5 third quarter points. Brendan Shanklin and Will Moore went on a rebounding spree to lead the team in rebounds with 6 each. The Bears took the lead at the end of the third quarter with a score of 34-33. However, the Tigers dominated the last quarter with Brennan Grubb putting in 2 lone free throws for the Bears only points of the quarter. BCMS couldn’t hold on and the Tigers pulled away with the win 44-36. Leading scorers for the Bears were Will Moore and Brennan Grubb with 10 each. Also scoring for the Bears was Caleb Beasley with 5, Neil Bewley 4, Ernest Lee 3, Skyler Moore 2, and Brendan Shanklin 2.

It was a tough night for the seventh grade team. A much larger Breckinridge County team was able to contain the Bears and only allow them to score 12 total points on the night. The seventh grade lost 41 to 12.
Thursday night the Bears traveled to Russellville to face a well known opponent in head coach Pete Reis. The Bears came out Thursday night much like they did on Monday night, digging themselves a huge hole in which to climb out of. With very little offense in the first half, the Bears found themselves down 18 – 7 at halftime. An unhappy head coach, Cody Donaldson, headed to the locker room to light a fire under his lethargic team, and that is exactly what he did. With a fire ignited, the Bears came out the second half with a much improved effort. Skyler Moore poured in 6 quick points for the Bears with Will Moore contributing 8 himself in the third quarter to bring the Bears to within 2 of the Panthers by the end of the third quarter. Brendan Shanklin came alive offensively in the fourth quarter to give the Bears 7 more points. Although the Bears gave an impressive second half effort, they couldn’t overcome the first half deficit and went on to lose another nail biter 45 – 41. Brendan Shanklin had an impressive game, getting a double double on the night. He scored 11 total points for the Bears and had 10 rebounds. Also scoring for the Bears was Will Moore with 13, Skyler Moore 6, Patton Allen 5, Brennan Grubb 3, Caleb Beasley 2, and Easton Phelps 1.

The seventh grade team did a much better job of putting points on the board Thursday night but got off to a slow start as well and could never come back from it. Several Bears scored but just couldn’t make enough to outscore the Panthers. Leading scorer for the Bears was Jaden Hurt with 5, Wyatt Dean 4, Zack Smith 4, Justin Elms 4, Trevor Dockery 4, and Matthew Gill 3.