Beech Tree News Network

MORGANTOWN - Butler County is set to open the 2018-19 girls' high school basketball season on the road at longtime rival Hancock County on Monday.

The Lady Bears will be looking to enact some revenge on the road in its 2018-19 season opener. Hancock County edged then-host Butler County 52-49 in a 2017-18 season opener one year ago. 

The Lady Bears ended the 2017-18 season 5-20. Edmonson County pulled away to beat Butler County in the 2018 12th District Girls' Basketball Tournament quarterfinals to end the Lady Bears' 2017-18 season. 

The Butler County-Hancock County girls' basketball game will be a hoops matchup between first-year head coaches. 

First-year head coach Lexie Belcher is preparing to guide the Lady Bears. Belcher replaced Brian Bivens on the Butler County bench. 

Senior guard Maddie Cardwell is back to lead the Bears. However, Butler County lost productive guard Maddy Murphy to graduation. 

Hancock County concluded the 2017-18 season 10-18. The Lady Hornets lost leading scorer Kassie Keown to graduation. 

First-year head coach Kevin Husk is set to guide the Lady Hornets. Husk replaced Steve Beck on the Hancock County bench. 

A group of experienced players is back for the Lady Hornets. Top returning players for Hancock County are junior Kiera Duncan and seniors Rylee Emmick, Bailee Boling and Halley Stewart. 

The Lady Bears are slated to host Russellville for a home opener on Friday, Nov. 30.

Tip-off for the Butler County-Hancock County girls' basketball game is set for 6 p.m. on Monday.