Beech Tree News Network

The 2017-18 prep basketball season in Kentucky officially got underway this week and the Butler County High School Lady Bears have three games on their schedule.  Butler County dropped its season opener on Monday, November 27, to Hancock County, 52-49.  The Lady Bears fell 67-46 at Owensboro on Tuesday, November 28.  Butler will round out the week on Thursday, November 30, with a trip to Russellville. 

This year's Butler County squad was hit hard by graduation, losing five seniors and a ton of playing experience.  So, in many respects, this will be a rebuilding year for the Butler County Lady Bears.

”Last year was the first year since I became the head coach that we lost more than one young lady to graduation," said head coach Brian Bivens.  "Graduating five in one year is bad enough, but when you take into account that those five accounted for 72% of our scoring last year, we have a lot of work ahead of us."

The Lady Bears return one lone senior to the team - forward Maddy Murphy.  Juniors are Maddie Cardwell, Dixie Garnier, Kasidy Graham, Aubrey Hall, and Kari McClelland.  Sophomores are Hannah Chaney, Ashley Thacker, and Jacie Ward. Freshmen are Aubrey Clark, Andrea Deweese, and Audrey Deweese.    

Nevertheless, Coach Bivens is happy with the progress he has seen so far in practices.

"Our girls have been working very hard since last April and after our two pre-season scrimmages, I'm pretty pleased with where we are right now," said Bivens.  "We have a little over a month to get ready for the six games that count the most and the district isn't going to be any easier this year."

Key 12th District date for Butler County this season are January 2 at Edmonson, January 5 at home vs. Grayson, January 19 at Grayson, January 26 at home vs. Edmonson, February 2 at home vs. Trinity, and February 9, at Trinity.

Bivens expects tough competition in district play. 

"It seems like our district just gets better and better every season," said Bivens.  "Edmonson County had a great team last year and returns everyone from that team again this year. Grayson County is going to be just as good as they always are and Trinity is returning a ton of experience and getting tougher to beat every single year."

Assisting Coach Bivens this year are assistant coaches Lexie Smith and Barry Frazier. 

Click on the link below to access the Butler County Lady Bears schedule and roster on the KHSAA website: 

https://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kygbk17/?id=52195