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Bethel-Tate beats Blanchester 66-52

Saturday, 12 January 2008

By SARAH CLARK

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BLANCHESTER — The Blanchester High School boys basketball team battled hard but came up short against Bethel-Tate, 54-66, in Southern Buckeye Conference action on Friday.

Dustin Barnes

Steven White

The Tigers improve to 4-7 on the season and 2-5 in league play. Blanchester falls to 4-9 on the season and 2-6 in the SBC.

“I was very proud of the kids that played. The hung in but we didn’t convert on some easy baskets.

The Wildcats lost senior A.J. Wiley in the second quarter to an apparent ankle injury. He scored seven points for BHS before leaving the game.

The Wildcats were up 22-18 when Wiley was injured, then Josh Ross nailed a three-pointer to bring the game to 25-18.

“The other kids seeing him injured is a lot different than him just being on the bench in foul trouble,” said Carroll.

After Ross’ big trey, the Tigers went on a run and were able to take a 32-27 lead into the intermission.

In the third quarter, Blanchester won the scoring battle 13-12 to cut BT’s lead to 45-39. The Tigers won the fourth quarter 21-15 however, pulling away from Blanchester down the stretch.

“Dustin Barnes hasn’t played a lot of varsity. He came in and made a couple big plays. He never complains and he came in and had his moment,” said Carrol. Barnes scored two points off a steal and was sent to the line for an extra shot. The shot missed, but Kalib Starks grabbed the rebound for two points. Starks again converted for two points after the Tigers threw the ball out of bounds and the Cats were within two — 48-46.

That is as close as they would come.

“We hung in and did some good things,” said Carroll. “We missed some shots, but I am proud of the whole team.”

The Wildcats return to action 7:30 p.m. tonight when the team hosts New Richmond.

SUMMARY

BHS 14 13 12 15 — 52

BT 18 14 13 21 — 66

BETHEL-TATE (66) — Stephens 0-0-1-1; Perry 1-1-4-9; Roberts 2-0-1-3; Schaljo 9-1-12-23; Smith 0-0-2-2; Hill 6-0-4-16.

BLANCHESTER (54) — Barens 1-0-0-2; Ballinger 3-1-1-10; Starks 5-0-0-10; Lewis 1-0-0-2; Wiley 2-0-3-7; Slocum 0-0-0-0; Freeman 0-1-0-3; White 5-0-3-13; Ross 1-1-2-7.