Beech Tree News Network

CALHOUN — Butler County finished 1-2 in the Independence Bank Christmas Tournament, which McLean County hosted Monday, Dec. 22-Tuesday, Dec. 23. 

The Bears notched a win over Ballard Memorial during the Independence Bank Christmas Tournament. However, Butler County dropped games to Webster County and Mayfield during the McLean County-hosted holiday event. 

Butler County 59, Ballard Memorial 47: Registering its first win in the 2025-26 boys' high school basketball season, Butler County beat Ballard Memorial 59-47 during the Independence Bank Christmas Tournament at McLean County on Monday, Dec. 22. 

Butler County shot 46.2 percent (18-of-39) from the field. The Bears shot 40.0 percent (eight-of-20) from three-point range. 

Butler County shot 75.0 percent (15-of-20) from the free throw line. 

Curtis Murphy led Butler County to the win, scoring 23 points for the Bears. Accompanying Murphy in double figures for Butler County, Cooper Embry and Carson Davos netted 14 points apiece. 

Five players accounted for all of Butler County's scoring. Chipping in offensively for the Bears, Cainan Vincent contributed five points, and Jett Johnson added three points. 

Vincent paced Butler County inside, claiming 10 rebounds. 

Webster County 74, Butler County 45: Butler County was limited offensively as Webster County pulled away to win 74-45 during the Independence Bank Christmas Tournament at McLean County on Monday, Dec. 22. 

The Bears connected on 16 field goals, nine of which were three-pointers. 

Butler County made each of its four free throw attempts during the matchup. 

Curtis Murphy scored a team-high 13 points for the Bears. Finishing directly behind Murphy in Butler County's scoring column, Cooper Embry netted 12 points. 

Seven players entered Butler County's scoring column. The additional scorers for Butler County were Colton Hampton (six points), Carson Davis (six points), Jett Johnson (three points), Nicholas Francisco (three points) and Cainan Vincent (two points).  

Mayfield 71, Butler County 42: Butler County couldn't battle back from behind as Mayfield prevailed 71-42 during the Independence Bank Christmas Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 23. 

The Bears shot 42.5 percent (17-of-40) from the field. Butler County shot 46.2 percent (six-of-13) from three-point range, faring well beyond the arc.

The Bears connected on two of three free throw attempts. 

Curtis Murphy paced Butler County, scoring 17 points for the Bears. Murphy was the only Butler County player to reach double figures. 

Finishing outside double figures, Kaiden Richardson (seven points), Jett Johnson (six points), Carson Davis (six points), Cainan Vincent (three points), Felix Francisco (two points) and Cooper Embry (one point) followed Murphy in Butler County's scoring column. 

Butler County is scheduled to meet Nelson County in the opening round of the Bethlehem Christmas Classic in Bardstown at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27. 

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Story by Steve LeMaster, Beech Tree News