Beech Tree News Network

WHITESVILLE - Butler County faced a single digit deficit at the conclusion of each quarter and couldn't battle back to win as host Whitesville Trinity prevailed 54-44 in a 12th District boys' basketball game on Friday night. 

With the setback, Butler County dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the 12th District.

Whitesville Trinity improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the district with the victory.  

Trenton Morris paced Whitesville Trinity in the win. Leading a balanced offensive attack, Morris scored a team-high 12 points for the Raiders. 

Whitesville Trinity led Butler County 9-5 at the conclusion of a low-scoring first quarter. 

The Bears matched Whitesville Trinity offensively in the second quarter, leaving the Raiders to lead 17-12 at halftime. 

Whitesville Trinity, which notched its second straight win, managed to add to its lead after the break, outscoring the Bears 17-13 in the third quarter. 

Joining Morris in double figures for the Raiders, Ethan Howard scored 11 points and Landon Hall added 10 points. 

Joe Brown netted eight points while Cameron Wright (five points), Brenden Wathen (five points) and Ben Goetz (three points) provided additional scoring for the Raiders.

Parker Rice led Butler County with a game-high 15 points. Jaden Hurt tossed in 11 points and Justin Elms added 10 points as three Butler County players reached double figures in scoring. 

Brody Hunt, Leevi McMillen, Macauley Hampton and Solomon Flener rounded out the Butler County individual scoring, finishing with two points apiece. 

The Bears slipped back into the loss column after defeating Lyon County 78-59 on the road in Eddyville one week earlier. 

Butler County is slated to host 3rd Region counterpart Apollo for a non-district boys' basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 11.