Beech Tree News Network

MURRAY - The Butler County Lady Bears dropped a pair of games in the Murray Bank Hardwood Tournament, falling to host 1st Region members Calloway County and Paducah Tilghman. 

Tournament host Calloway County pulled away to beat Butler County 60-27 on Friday night (Dec. 28). 

In a much closer contest, Paducah Tilghman held on to edge the Lady Bears 55-52 on Saturday (Dec. 29). 

More on each game involving the Lady Bears follows. 

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Calloway County 60, Butler County 27: Butler County fell behind early and was unable to recover from its slow start as host Calloway County pulled away to win 60-27 in the Murray Bank Hardwood Tournament on Friday night (Dec. 29).

Charlee Settle led Calloway County with a game-high 22 points. Finishing directly behind Settle in the Calloway County scoring column, Keeli Puckett posted 21 points. 

The Lady Bears pushed Calloway County early. Calloway County exited the first quarter ahead 13-9. However, Calloway County started distancing itself from Butler County in the second period, outscoring the Lady Bears 22-2 to lead 35-11 at halftime. 

Calloway County was 22-of-50 from the field. The Lady Lakers were 9-of-22 from 3-point range. 

Calloway County was 7-of-12 from the free throw line. 

Excelling inside, Calloway County outrebounded Butler County 33-19. 

Adison Hicks (eight points), Elle Carson (six points), Kelly Underhill (two points) and Ellie Jackson (one point) accounted for the rest of Calloway County's scoring in the victory. 

Butler County was 11-of-31 from the field. The Lady Bears finished 3-of-13 from 3-point range. 

Butler County was only 2-of-5 from the free throw line. 

Jacie Ward led limited Butler County with six points. Maddie Cardwell scored five points for the Lady Bears while Jaelyn Taylor added four points. 

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Other scorers for Butler County in the setback were Graci Leach (three points), Kasidy Graham (three points), Dixie Garnier (two points), Aubrey Clark (two points) and Gracie Cardwell (two points).

Paducah Tilghman 55, Butler County 52: Butler County pushed for a win but fell short in the end as Paducah Tilghman held on to prevail 55-52 in the Murray Bank Hardwood Tournament at Calloway County High School on Saturday (Dec. 29). 

Paducah Tilghman dealt Butler County its eighth straight loss. 

With the loss, Butler County slipped to 2-11.

Paducah Tilghman improved to 8-6 with the win. 

Victorious Paducah Tilghman shot 38.2 percent (21-of-55) from the field. The Blue Tornado were 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. 

Paducah Tilghman won despite shooting only 35.7 percent (10-of-28) from the free throw line. 

Eleese Anderson led Paducah Tilghman with 13 points. 

Destiny Thomas and Dasia Garland accompanied Anderson in double figures and recorded double-doubles for the Blue Tornado. Thomas scored 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Paducah Tilghman in the win. In a nearly identical effort, Garland added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Tornado. 

Jaelyn Taylor paced Butler County with a game-high 14 points. Taylor was the only Butler County player to reach double figures in the scoring column. 

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Jacie Ward added nine points while Aubrey Clark tossed in seven points and Maddie Cardwell contributed six points apiece for the Lady Bears. 

Other scorers for Butler County in the close loss were Dixie Garnier (four points), Gracie Cardwell (five points), Audrey Deweese (three points), Graci Leach (two points) and Kasidy Graham (two points). 

Butler County is slated to visit Grayson County for a 12th District girls' basketball game on Friday, Jan. 4.