Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County High School boys' basketball team is grabbing headlines and a lot of preseason buzz.  Calvin Dockery is entering his 12th season as head coach and the 2023-24 schedule is possibly the most aggressive ever in the history of BCHS boys' basketball.

The Bears return talent and depth from a team that went 22-11 overall and lost in the Region 3 semi-finals to the Owensboro Senior Red Devils, who went on to win the Region  3 championship and a trip to the Boys Sweet 16 State tournament last season. 

The Bears return Justin Castlin, Trevor Deweese, Clayton Deweese, Ty Price, Lawson Rice, and Case Hooten - all six are juniors. Add to the mix transfer Briar Griffin a junior who returns to Butler County from Bowling Green High School. The Bears also include sophomores Jett Johnson, Curtis Murphy, Nicholas Francisco, and freshman Carson Davis and Cainan Vincent listed on the varsity roster to date.  There are no seniors on this year’s squad. 

The Bears' assistant coaching staff is comprised of Elijah Flener, Caleb Ray, Chad Bratcher, Dustin Barnett, Adam Stovall, and Greg Keown. 

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Bears ranked first in 3rd Region 

MORGANTOWN — Butler County is ranked first in the Preseason 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Media Poll. 

The Bears are ranked ahead of Ohio County, Daviess County, Owensboro Catholic, Meade County, Owensboro, McLean County, Grayson County, Muhlenberg County and Breckinridge County. 

Butler County received six of the 10 first-place votes for the Preseason 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Media Poll. 

The Bears finished as the 12th District runner-up and reached the semifinals of the 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament during the 2022-23 season. Butler County exited the 2022-23 season 22-11. 

Under the direction of Coach Calvin Dockery, Butler County is scheduled to host South Warren for its 2023-24 season opener at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27. 

The Preseason 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Media Poll, which was released on Tuesday, Nov. 21, follows. 

Preseason 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Media Poll

(First-place votes listed in parenthesis)

1. Butler County (6)

2. Ohio County (3)

3. Daviess County 

4. Owensboro Catholic (1) 

5. Meade County 

6. Owensboro

7. McLean County

8. Grayson County

9.  Muhlenberg County 

10. Breckinridge County

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 In a Q/A between Mark Allen and BCHS Head Coach Calvin Dockery, here’s a quick interview with Coach Dockery. 

Question…. Coach can you breakdown your staff and duties? Answer….. JV/Freshman coaches are Caleb Ray & Chad Bratcher, Stats are Issac Dockery. Varsity assistants Elijah Flener, Caleb Ray, Chad Bratcher, Greg Keown; stats Issac Dockery. BCMS Varsity/ Varsity assistants Adam Stoval, Dustin Barnett. 

  Question…… How do you feel about the challenges the 12th district will bring this season?  Answer…… I look for Grayson Co. to be a very good team and Edmonson Co. has some good talent as well. 

Question……. What are you looking for in your scrimmages? Answer…….. In our first scrimmage last week playing Christian Academy of Louisville, their best player recently signed a D1 scholarship to Florida Gulf Coast University. I felt that we defended him very well. Overall, I was pleased with our total effort especially at the defensive end. We travel to Martin Co. HS, in Inez, Ky. Saturday, Nov. 25th; this will be a great test for us as we prepare for our season opener vs South Warren HS. 

Question…….. Who do you feel is the #1 team in Region 3 ? Answer……. I really feel we can be that team, if we stay healthy and keep our focus on the big picture. I also believe Owensboro Catholic, Daviess Co., and Ohio Co are all at the top and will be tough as well.