Beech Tree News Network

Butler County fell behind early, rallied to take control of the game, sputtered a bit down the stretch, but came back in the clutch to defeat Owensboro Catholic 69-67 in overtime to win the Touchstone Energy All "A" Third Region tournament at Hancock County.  With the win, the Bears advance to the Touchstone Energy All "A" State Tournament at Frankfort.  Butler County (14-8) will face Russell High School (16th Region winner, 18-4 overall record) on Thursday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m. CST.  

The Bears found themselves in an early deficit as Catholic raced out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game.  Alex Hall hit a pair of free throws to put the Bears on the board.  Baskets by  Zeke Woodcock and Trevor Jenkins narrowed that lead.  A rebound put-back by Zach Burden gave Butler County its first lead at 9-7.  Still, the Aces held a 15-13 advantage after a quarter.

Both teams traded leads in the second quarter.  Baskets by Burden, Flener and Jenkins paced the Bears' scoring efforts in the second quarter.  A steal and basket by Flener gave Butler a 25-24 halftime lead.  

Butler County's best quarter was arguably the third as they built on their halftime lead.  It started quickly as Butler rattled off six consecutive points — two baskets by Brandon Thomas and one by Alex Hall - to make the score 31-24.  A 15-foot jumper by Woodcock and a basket by Jenkins gave the Bears a 38-30 margin.  Leading 43-39, Elijah Flener hit a long three-pointer just past half-court as the horn sounded ending the third quarter, giving Butler County a 46-39 lead.

The fourth quarter featured the Bears at their best — and worst.  A rebound basket by Flener followed by a steal and two free throw by Flener gave the Bears its largest lead at 51-39.  But, Owensboro Catholic regrouped after a timeout.  The Aces scored eight straight points to claw back into the game.  A pair of Aces free throws narrowed that gap to two at 56-54.  Free throws by Woodcock and a basket by Flener kept the Bears slightly ahead.  Leading 60-59, Zach Burden snatched a rebound off a missed free throw and was fouled on the shot.  Burden hit both to put the Bears ahead 62-59 with 25 seconds remaining.  Woodcock fouled out on the next play as a Catholic player was attempting a three-pointer.  He hit all three free throws with 13.9 seconds to tie the score at 62 apiece.  Butler County missed a chance to win at the end as Rex Henderson found Thomas, who put up a long jump shot but it missed its mark, forcing an overtime period.  

Catholic scored first in the four-minuted overtime period but Flener answered with a long three-pointer.  Jenkins scored to give he Bears a 67-65 lead.  Catholic tied the game at 67.  With 31.9 seconds left, the possession arrow gave Butler the ball after it was tied up.  Jenkins was fouled with 10 seconds left and sank both free throws in the clutch to give the Bears a 69-67 lead.  Catholic missed a three at the buzzer in what would have been the game winner.      

Flener led Butler County in scoring with 28 points, the majority of which came in the pivotal second half.  Jenkins added 16 and Burden pitched in 10 points off the bench.

Butler County was 23 for 56 from the field for 41 percent.  Catholic was 23 for 59.    

Butler's largest lead was 12 at 51-39.  There were five ties and nine lead changes.  

Butler County enjoyed a 41-36 rebounding advantage.  

Brandon Thomas, Elijah Flener, Zeke Woodcock, and Trevor Jenkins were all named to the all-tournament team.  Alex Hall was named to the all-academic team for the tournament.  

Elijah Flener was also the WLBQ Player of the Game for his performance.  

OC15      9      15      23      5            67

BC13      12    21      16      7            69

Butler County (69):  E. Flener 28, T. Jenkins 16, Z. Burden 10, Z. Woodcock 7, B. Thomas 4, A. Hall 4.

In an interview with BtN/WLBQ after the game, Butler County head coach Calvin Dockery spoke about the game and his team.

"We came out in the second half and we really wanted to push the ball and they figured that out quickly.  They (Catholic) played so hard, defensively they give you everything they've got, didn't surprise us, but our guys found a way," said Dockery.  

"Effort, intensity, rebounding and defense is what we preach every day, things we're working on.  What I really liked was our last defensive possession.  They (referees) had been calling ticky-tack fouls on us and we played good defense and made their (Catholic's) shot hard," said Dockery.  "I'm very proud of my guys, can't praise them enough.  They've been working hard and doing everything we ask them to do," added Dockery.  

"We just made one more big play than they did and that made the difference," said Elijah Flener, also in a post-game interview.  

* * * 

According to Butler County Athletics' Director Ryan Emmick, the high school will receive 250 tickets to sell to the public.  They are $8 each and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning on a first come, first serve basis.  

* * * 

Butler County reached the championship game with a 69-58 semi-final win against McLean County on Friday night.  The game featured only one lead change early in the game and two times as Butler County maintained control throughout the contest.  

Leading 35-24 at the half, the Bears pushed that margin to 19 at one point in the third before the Cougars rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring Butler 27-19.  A controversial technical foul called against Elijah Flener seemed to give the Cougars some temporary momentum

BC15      20      15      19            69

MC11      13        7       27      58

Butler County (69):  Z. Woodcock 23, T. Jenkins 17, E. Flener 8, B. Thomas 7, B. Thomas 7, A. Hudnall 5, Z. Burden 2

* * * 

On Saturday night, the Bears dropped a 74-42 decision at South Warren High School but Coach Dockery had made the decision to give his starters the night off in anticipation of the All "A' championship game on Sunday.  

* * * 

Story by John Embry; photos by Jeremy Hack BtN/WLBQ.