Beech Tree News Network

ALBANY — Continuing to win, Butler County edged Glasgow 36-34 in the opening round of the Best of the Lakes Holiday Classic at Clinton County High School on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

After notching the win, Butler County moved to 7-1. 

Determined Butler County managed to win without second-leading scorer and rebounder Taylor Leach. 

Butler County led Glasgow 26-19 at halftime and turned in a solid defensive performance throughout the matchup.

The Lady Bears led 30-28 at the end of the third quarter.

Jenna Phelps scored 15 points to lead Butler County to the win. Phelps was the only Butler County player to reach double figures in scoring.

Tinslea Belcher (six points), Ava Wilson (six points), Parker Willoughby (five points), Kennedy Rice (two points) and Ann Marie Skaggs (two points) accounted for the rest of Butler County's scoring in the winning effort. 

Butler County claimed its sixth straight win in the 2022-23 girls' high school basketball season. 

—--

Independence Bank Classic: Bears fall to Cooper 

OWENSBORO — Butler County dropped its opener in the Independence Bank Classic as Cooper pulled away to win 59-48 at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Wednesday, Dec. 28. 

Cooper shot 52.2 percent (24-of-46) from the field in its winning effort. The Jaguars connected on five of 15 three-point field goal attempts, shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Cooper sank six of 14 free throw attempts. 

Inside, Cooper outrebounded Butler County 30-25. 

Andy Johnson scored 14 points to lead Cooper to the win. Accompanying Johnson in double figures for the Jaguars, Isaiah Johnson netted 11 points.

Narrowly missing double figures for Cooper, Gavin Lutz scored nine points.

The additional scorers for Cooper in the winning effort were Trevor Ollier (eight points), Isaac Brown (seven points), Drew Schilling (six points), Nnamdi Ajaezu (two points) and Austin Alexander (two points). 

Butler County shot 45.5 percent (20-of-44) from the field in the setback. The Bears connected on three of seven three-point field goal attempts.

Butler County drained five of 11 free throw attempts.

Lawson Rice scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Bears. Accompanying Rice in double figures for Butler County, Ty Price netted 15 points.

The additional scorers for Butler County in the loss were Justin Castlen (six points), Trever Deweese (four points), Luke Laughing (four points) and Keagen Grubb (two points).