MS BASKETBALL: Bears fall short in GRVC Championship

Fri, 01/31/2025 - 12:50pm — John Embry

"It was a hard fought battle last night with both teams leaving it all on the floor." --BCMS head coach Dustin Barnett

-----

Butler County Middle School fell behind early but rallied in the second half before coming up short against McLean County, 39-29, in the Green River Valley Conference Championship.

The Bears dug themselves a hole in the first half, trailing 11-6 after the first quarter and 21-12 at the half. BCMS battled hard in the third quarter, coming within a point of McLean but the Bears couldn't quite close the gap at the end.

"It was a hard fought battle last night with both teams leaving it all on the floor. Ultimately, we just couldn't get shots to fall, it seemed like there was a lid on the basket," said BCMS head coach Dustin Barnett. "Defensively, we executed our game plan holding them under 40 points and we were able to foul out one of their key contributors."

Ayden Tooley led the Bears in scoring with 10 points. Owen Wilson tallied 9 points; Brody Dockery chipped in four points; and Tayten Wilson and Aiden Phelps had three points each.

"I am extremely proud of this group of young men and they should all hold their heads up high. No one expected us to be in the championship, EXCEPT US," said Barnett. "We grinded daily, believed in the process, played the toughest schedule possible, and came out as GRVC runners-up. Saying I'm a proud coach would be a huge understatement. Excited to watch these young men progress through high school and through their lives. Go Bears!"