Beech Tree News Network

OWENSBORO - Butler County faced a deficit at the conclusion of each quarter as Breckinridge County gradually separated itself and ultimately pulled away to win 67-42 in the opening round of the 3rd Region Girls' Basketball Tournament at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Wednesday, March 24.

The victory allowed Breckinridge County to advance to the 3rd Region Girls' Basketball Tournament Semifinals.  

With the loss, Butler County ended its season 9-7.

Breckinridge County improved to 22-3 with the win. 

Longtime 3rd Region rivals, Butler County and Breckinridge County battled back and forth throughout he opening quarter of the region tournament matchup. Breckinridge County led 11-8 at the conclusion of the first quarter and added to its lead prior to halftime. The champion out of the 11th District, Breckinridge County outscored Butler County 16-6 in the second quarter to lead 27-14 at the break. 

Remaining in control after the intermission period, Breckinridge County outscored Butler County 17-11 in the third quarter. 

Breckinridge County used a balanced offensive attack to notch the win. 

Cassidy McDaniel netted a team-high 16 points to pace the Lady Tigers. Accompanying McDaniel in double figures for Breckinridge County, Isabel Grimes scored 14 points and Aleigha Mucker netted 14 points.

Narrowly missing double figures in scoring for Breckinridge County, Sydney Tucker finished with nine points.

Rounding out Breckinridge County's individual scoring, Caroline Lucas (seven points), Skylar Tucker (six points) and Natalie Henning (two points) chipped in offensively. 

Gracie Cardwell paced Butler County, scoring a game-high 17 points for the Lady Bears. Accompanying Cardwell in double figures for Butler County, Taylin Clark netted 12 points. 

In addition to the duo in double figures, Jaelyn Taylor (six points), Kaylee Givens (three points), Stormee Flint (three points) and Addison Miller (three points) dented the scoring column for 12th District runner-up Butler County.  

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BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

 Bears fall to Owensboro in region tournament

OWENSBORO - Butler County fell behind early and couldn't battle back as Owensboro pulled away to win 78-35 in the opening round of the 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Tuesday, March 23.

Following the victory , Owensboro advanced to the 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament Semifinals. 

With the loss, Butler County exited the 2020-21 boys' high school basketball season 5-10.

Owensboro improved to 12-5 with the win.

Offensive-heavy Owensboro shot 55.7 percent (34-of-61) from the field. The Red Devils were 1-of-9 from 3-point range.

Owensboro shot 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from the free throw line.

Thriving inside, Owensboro outrebounded Butler County 33-23.

Ethan Pendleton scored a game-high 20 points to lead Owensboro to the win. Pendleton was 9-of-12 from inside the arc.

Accompanying Pendleton in double figures for the Red Devils, Amari Robinson-Wales scored 15 points and Kenyatta Carbon netted 12 points. 

Nearly reaching double figures in scoring for the Red Devils, Cayman Powell posted nine points.

Owensboro featured 10 different scorers, including Maurice Moorman (six points), Jalen Hinton (six points), Talas Taylor (three points), Jeremiah Goodwin (three points), Matthew Brown (two points) and Taquan Robinson (two points).

Butler County shot 27.3 percent (12-of-44) from the field. The Bears were 1-of-15 from 3-point range.

Butler County shot 62.5 percent (10-of-16) from the free throw line. 

Narrowly missing double figures in scoring for the Bears, Leevi McMillin netted nine points.

Finishing directly behind McMillin in scoring for Butler County, Isaac Dockery and Jagger Henderson netted eight points apiece. 

The additional scorers for Butler County in the season-ending loss were Solomon Flener (five points), Kolton Hudson (two points), Lawson Rice (two points) and Jonah Akers (one point). 

In the other opening round games in the 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament it was Owensboro Catholic 63, Meade County 57; Ohio County 57, Grayson County 42; Muhlenberg County 44, Hancock County 33.