Beech Tree News Network

The Bears took the road, a long winding one at that, to Hart County on Tuesday night to face off against the 11 – 11 Raiders. With an unusual game time start of 5:30, the Bears had to head out early for what turned out to be a long night for them. BCHS came out of the gate early and in commanding form for what might have appeared to be an easy victory for the Bears. They took an early lead and held on to it throughout the first half with their largest lead being 8 at one point. However, the Bears saw some early foul trouble with Zeke Woodcock, Brandon Thomas, and Dillon Goodall all getting 2 fouls each and having to sit part of the first half. The Bears really could have used the extra man power of Jackson Washer, who didn't make the trip due to illness, but got some good quality minutes from Alex Hall and Zack Burden. Hart County picked up their momentum before the first half came to a close and had pulled to within 4 before Elijah Flener, with instructions from Coach Woodcock, held the ball then drove in for a last second shot to put the Bears on top 24 – 19 at halftime.

The Bears came out of the locker room to start the second half but seemed a little flat. Zeke Woodcock did provide an early basket in the 3rd quarter to get things going for the Bears, but it didn't take long for foul trouble to plague BCHS again. Dillon Goodall went to the bench with 4 fouls and over four minutes left in the third quarter. The Bears struggled to find the offensive boards and had several one and done trips down the court before Woodcock finally connected again for two.  That was apparently the spark that Trevor Jenkins needed. Jenkins made an impressive block on one end of the floor and then pulled up for a long 3 on the other to break the tie and put the Bears on top 33 - 30. The third quarter came to a close with Jenkins lighting up the 3's and Raiders countering with 3's of their own.

The 4th quarter started with some sloppy play as the Bears had difficulty holding on to the ball. The Raiders took the lead (46-45) for the first time in the game with 3:48 left. Flener came up with two key steals but the Bears couldn't convert on either. The Raiders found themselves in the double bonus and at the foul line a lot in the 4th quarter. Goodall came up with 2 clutch free throws with only 54 seconds left on the clock to bring the score to 52-51 but it just wasn't enough as the Bears went on to lose this one 59 - 55.     

Even with Goodall having to sit almost 10 minutes of the game, he was the Bears high scorer for the night with 17. Trevor Jenkins was close behind with 16 points. Also in the scoring column for the Bears was Zeke Woodcock with 10, Elijah Flener with 8, and Brandon Thomas with 4.

The Bears will be back in action Friday night at home against region rival Hancock County in what promises to be a great game. Rumor has it the student section is planning to make their presence known once again. Come out and support the BCHS Bears. JV tips off at 6 with varsity to follow.

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Kim Grubb, Beech Tree News