Beech Tree News Network

With two games cancelled due to snow and ice, the Butler County Bears boys' basketball team finally took the court on Tuesday night, December 10, at home against Apollo - one of the top teams in the Third Region. 

Against Apollo, the Bears were outgunned by the Eagle duo of Sam Sergeant and Eli Wright, who combined for 52 points.  Apollo defensive pressure plagued the Bears for much of the game, resulting in double-digit turnovers that took Butler County out of the game.

Offensive, the Bears had three players in double figures with senior center Trevor Jenkins leading the way with 19 points, including four three-pointers.  Zeke Woodcock scored 14 points and Zack Burden had 12.  

AHS--20--23--20--26--------89

BC----7---7---22--12--------58

Butler County (58):  T. Jenkins 18, Z. Woodcock 14, Z. Burden 12, C. Deweese 7, R. Henderson 5, B. Graham 2.

Apollo (89):  E. Wright 27, S. Sergeant 25, C. Coomes 12, L. Smith 7, C. Survant 6, K. Chambers 4, N. Hopewell 4, D. Clark 2.  

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Butler County picked up its first win of the season on Friday night on the road against 12th District foe Whitesville Trinity High in a girl-boy doubleheader. 

A strong first half gave Butler County the margin of victory it needed.  The Bears led 19-3 after the first quarter and 33-16 at halftime.  Butler County held it's largest lead in the third quarter at 23 points before Trinity rallied to outscore the Bears 24-14 in the fourth quarter.   Butler County held on for the 67-57 win.

Butler County had four players in double figures with Zeke Woodcock leading all scorers with 22 points.  Woodcock also led the team in rebounds with 11.  

Butler County was 19/54 from the field (35.2%); 4/11 in 3-point goals (36.4%); and 25/42 from the free throw line (59.5%).   

 BC----19----14----20----14--------67

THS---13-----3----17-----24--------57

Butler County (67):  Z. Woodcock 22, T. Jenkins 15, R. Henderson 12, C. Deweese 10, Z. Burden 8.  

Trinity (57):  D. Moris 14, S. Dickens 14, D. Wathen 11, D. Mills 6, B. Booker 5, J. Hook 5, N. Mills 2.

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Conventional wisdom suggests that the best way to win a game is to get a lead and build on it - and that's exactly what Butler County did on Saturday night en route to a 77-58 win over visiting Russellville.  The Bears had plenty of offense with four players in double figures.  Zeke Woodcock and Zack Burden had 23 and 22, respectively.  Woodcock led the team with 11 rebounds. 

Butler County's largest lead was 22 points at 66-24.  There two ties and two lead changes - both early in the game. 

As a team, Butler County was 35/66 (53%) in two-point field goals; 5/14 (35.7%) in three-point shots; and 2/3 (66.7%) from the free throw line.   

RHS--14----16----14----14--------58

BC----19----21----23----14--------77

Butler County (77):  Z. Woodcock 23, Z. Burden 22, T. Jenkins, 12, C. Deweese 12, R. Henderson 6, D. Henderson 2.  

Russellville (58):  L. McMurray 17, P. Rivera 9, C. Naylor 8, J. McMurray 8, R. Bellamy 6, M. Naylor 5, J. Mitchell 5.   

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Butler County exploded for 24 points in the fourth quarter on Monday night at Todd County Central to break open a close game and earn the 74-62 win.  The Bears held a 34-33 halftime lead - a margin that stayed the same as both teams battled to 16-16 tie in the third quarter.  

Zack Burden led the Bears in scoring with 21 points.  Trevor Jenkins had 16 points to go with his 13 rebounds.

Butler County was 28/79 (35.4%) in field goals; 4/23 (17.4%) in three-point goals; and 14/24 (58.3%) in free throws.  

Butler County's largest lead was 12 - it's margin of victory.  There were seven lead changes.  

Todd County Central was 23/74 (31.1%) in field goals; 6/13 (46.2%) in three-point goals;  and 10/22 (45.5%) from the free throw line.   

Butler County:  Z. Burden 21, T. Jenkins 16, Z. Woodcock 14, C. Deweese 9, B. Anderson 6, K. Cardwell 4, J. Payton 2, R. Henderson 2.  

Todd County Central:  J. Brown 21, T. Harris 16, D. Wilkerson 11, G. Moore 5, T. Drayton 4, J. Johnson, T. Henry 1.  

BC----18----16----16----24--------74

TCC---14----19----16----13--------62

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According to the latest KHSAA Third Region rankings, Butler County (3-1) is ranked second behind Apollo.  The top five ranked teams in the Third Region are Apollo, Butler County, McLean County, Hancock County, and Meade County.  

* * * 

Story by John Embry and photos by Jeremy Hack, Beech Tree News.  

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This sports coverage is brought to you by the sponsors of the 2013-14 BC Sports Package with WLBQ/BtN. We are grateful for their continued support of Butler County student-athletes.

 The following are 2013-14 Butler County Sports Package Sponsors:

 - Jones Funeral Chapel & Monument Company
 - Morgantown Bank & Trust
 - Hocker Family Insurance
 - Parkway Cars & Tires
 - PBI Bank
 - Final Finish
 - Butler County Farm Bureau Insurance
 - Bluegrass Oral Health
 - Orthopedics Plus Physical Therapy
 - Butler County Board of Education
 - Warren RECC
 - Butler County Drug Free Coalition
 - Butler County Judge-Executive David Fields
 - Tiffany's Tanning
 -Green River Feed Mill
 - Merle Norman Cosmetics