Beech Tree News Network

In a border-rival contest against a regional opponent that featured three ties, seven lead changes, and a mid-court brawl, Butler County defeated Ohio County 76-71 on Thursday night in Hartford.  The win is the first for the Bears against Ohio County in several years.  
A fast-paced game throughout, the Bears fell behind 6-0 as the Eagles hit a pair of three to start the game.  Butler fought back and was leading 19-17 after the first quarter.  
The game stayed tight through the first half with Butler County holding a 38-37 lead at the half.  
Ohio County used a strong third quarter to move ahead 52-44 at one point in the third quarter - the 8-point margin being the largest either team would have in the game.  However, the Bears roared back in the fourth quarter for 24 points to turn the tide of the game.  
Butler was clinging to a small lead with about two minutes left in the game.  Bear guard Zack Burden stole the ball and flipped from behind to Rex Henderson, who scored and was foul on the play.  Henderson sank the free throw.  A few moments later near mid-court an altercation took place between an Ohio County player and Butler County's Zack Burden.  Benches cleared and some fans approached the court as referees, school officials, and law enforcement worked to separate those involved.  Both players were ejected from the game.  Video of the incident has been sent to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association for review.   
"We will send the video in this morning and the KHSAA will determine the outcome," said BCHS Head Coach Calvin Dockery on Friday morning.   "At this point I could only speculate on the outcome of that evaluation."
Butler County had four players in double figures - Woodcock with 22, Burden with 18, Henderson with 13, and Jenkins with 12.  Jenkins also cleaned the glass with 16 total rebounds - four offensive and 12 defensive. Woodcock led the team in assists with 5.  
The Bears were 24/69 in two-point goals (34.8%); 6/21 in three-point goals (28.6%); and 22/36 from the free throw line (61.1%).
Though the short season has just gotten underway, Coach Dockery is pleased with his team's performance.
"It’s a long season; we just want to continue to improve every game.  I am pleased with what I am seeing, guys are playing and competing," said Dockery.  "We are working to add depth and it is coming along … very proud of my guys."

BC----19---19---14---24--------76
OC----17---20---17---17--------71

Butler County (76):  Z. Woodcock 22, Z. Burden 18, R. Henderson 13, T. Jenkins 12, C. Deweese 8, B. Anderson 3.  
Ohio County (71):  M. Sloyan 18, T. Young 14, B. Morse 13, T. Hall 10, T. Carter 7, T. Lewis 5, R. Baggarly 4.

Butler County (4-1) travels to Hancock on Friday night and will host Allen County-Scottsville on Monday in a game set for a 3 p.m. start.

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Story by John Embry, Beech Tree News. 

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This sports coverage is brought to you by the sponsors of the 2013-14 BC Sports Package with WLBQ/BtN. We are grateful for their continued support of Butler County student-athletes.

 The following are 2013-14 Butler County Sports Package Sponsors:

 - Jones Funeral Chapel & Monument Company
 - Morgantown Bank & Trust
 - Hocker Family Insurance
 - Parkway Cars & Tires
 - PBI Bank
 - Final Finish
 - Butler County Farm Bureau Insurance
 - Bluegrass Oral Health
 - Orthopedics Plus Physical Therapy
 - Butler County Board of Education
 - Warren RECC
 - Butler County Drug Free Coalition
 - Butler County Judge-Executive David Fields
 - Tiffany's Tanning
 -Green River Feed Mill
 - Merle Norman Cosmetics