Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Bears added to the holiday spirit this week with a clean sweep of four opponents at the Beech Tree News/WLBQ 101.5 Christmas Classic - the first holiday tournament hosted by Butler County in a decade.  The Bears defeated Holy Cross and Hickman County on Monday, while dispatching Bethlehem and Cumberland County on Tuesday to go undefeated for the two-day event.  The tournament wins extend Butler County's record to 7-3 on the season.  

In a game that featured twenty lead change and seven ties, Butler County used strong second and fourth quarters on Monday to defeat the Holy Cross Cougars, 68-58.  The Bears outscored their opponents 21-13 in the second and 22-11 in the fourth.  

Rex Henderson led the Bears in scoring with 26 points, while Baylee Anderson had 19 points, along with 10 rebounds.  

Butler County (68):  Henderson 26, Anderson 19, Graham 8. Moore 5, Nave 5, Beasley 3, Grubb 2.

Holy Cross (58):  Phillips 15, Driskell 14, Barkley 13, Hickey 7, Beardon 6, McKinney 2, Scott 1.   

---

The Bears' second game on Monday resulted in a 61-52 win over the Hickman County Falcons.  Although the final margin proved to be a point smaller than the win over Holy Cross, Butler County was in control throughout the contest, leading 21-13 after the first quarter and by ten points at 34-24 at halftime.  The Bears outscored the Falcons 13-9 in the third before a slight Hickman rally in the final quarter (19-14) narrowed the final margin of victory for the Bears.

The Bears had three players in double figures - Rex Henderson with 18 points, Baylee Anderson with 13 and Blake Graham with 12.  

Butler County (61):  Henderson 18, Anderson 13, Graham 12, Moore 5, Nave 5, Grubb 3, Beasley 3, Flener 2.  

Hickman County (52):  Prince 13, Spillman 12, Jewell 12, Carter 7, Crittendon 6, Pittman 2.

---

First on tap for the Bears on Tuesday were the Bethlehem Eagles.  Butler County started strong with a 19-12 first quarter advantage and extended its lead to 25-14 at one point in the second quarter before the Eagles got on track offensively.  Still, the Bears led 32-25 at halftime.  The second half saw both teams cool offensively as the Eagles claimed the third quarter 10-8 and Butler taking the fourth at 11-8.  

Three players in double figure led the Bears offensively:  Baylee Anderson with 17 points, Rex Henderson with 13, and Will Moore with 12.  

Butler County (61):  Anderson 17, Henderson 13, Moore 12, Graham 5, Nave 4.

Bethlehem (43):  Hagen 20, Beisler 8, Taylor 8, Collins 5, Hagen 2.

---  

In the final game of the tournament, the Bears squared off against the Cumberland County Panthers, which, on paper, appeared to be the Bears' easier opponent.  But, games are won on paper and the Panthers proved to be the Bears' biggest challenge.  

Butler County raced to a 21-9 first-quarter lead before Cumberland outscored the Bears 19-5 to narrow the margin to 35-28 at halftime.  The Bears edged the Panthers 11-10 in the third before a strong fourth quarter turned the game into a barn-burner.  In an attempt to refocus his team, Butler County coach Calvin Dockery, at one point in the third, substituted all five players, relying primarily on junior varsity players.  Cumberland County erased a 50-38 deficit early in the fourth quarter and actually took a two-point lead with a little over a minute left in the in the game.  Solid defense by Butler County, resulting in a pair of costly Panther turnovers, along with clutch free throw shooting down the stretch, lifted the Bears to the 65-60 win.  Butler County had 17 points off the bench with contributions by Brennan Grubb, Caleb Beasley, Jaden Hurt, and Kenton Flener.  

Rex Henderson led the Bears in scoring with 24 points.  Baylee Anderson added 12 points.  

Butler County (65):  Henderson 24, Anderson 12, Moore 9, Grubb 6, Beasley 6, Graham 3, Hurt 3, Flener 2.    

Cumberland County (60):  Overbay 16, Dyer 14, Young 13, Owens 9, Flowers 4, Dubre 2, Smith 2.  

---

Butler County coach Calvin Dockery described the tournament as a huge success.  

"It was a great tournament, everything went well, and there were plenty of good games," said Dockery.  "A couple of the coaches have already expressed an interest in returning next year."  

Coach Dockery said he was grateful for the support of Beech Tree News, WLBQ 101.5, all the other sponsors, and the booster club for making this tournament a success.

In other results from the BTN/WLBQ Christmas Classic, Bethlehem defeated Hickman County 62-54 and Holy Cross beat Cumberland County 70-48 - both Monday games.  On Tuesday, Holy Cross defeated Hickman County 51-44.  

Butler County (7-3) will be back in action on December 29 at Thomas Nelson before opening 12th District play on Saturday, January 2, at home against Grayson County.