Despite coming into Tuesday night’s 3rd Region championship game 14-0 against fellow inter-region opponents, the Butler County Bears were viewed as an underdog by some. Even though they were considered a favorite by many, the Bears didn’t have everyone’s respect. And that’s because they would go up against a tough 23-9 Owensboro Catholic squad. Of course, none of that mattered when jerseys were tucked in and the ball was tipped.
It was quickly apparent that there was some bad blood between the two sides even before the game. With as much as 45 minutes left until tip, opposing student sections were booing anything they could about the other team.
Even band members and innocent bystanders were fair play.
The atmosphere in here is AWESOME. Hundreds and hundreds of fans still piling in. Student sections are booing opposing band members and even other fans. This is great. pic.twitter.com/XwtugFFzRy
The game got off to a very fast start that would ultimately set the tone for the rest of the game. After the first quarter alone, Butler County hopped out to a 20-12 lead, and it only grew from there. Whether it was a Ty Price dagger or a Lawson Rice alley-oop slam, the Bears seemingly had all the momentum heading into the break.
Through two, Butler County held a firm 36-19 lead.
Unfortunately for Owensboro Catholic, they could just never get back into the game. Any time they got a defensive stop, they’d turn the ball over on the other end. If they managed to get a bucket, Butler County would find a way to get those points right back. Heck, there were even times that Price did his best James Harden impression — going into an iso before knocking down a three right between the opponent’s eyes.
Owensboro Catholic 36 | Butler County 54 | 35.4 3Q Ty Price, you’re a bad, bad man. pic.twitter.com/V4OfwUFioL
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Butler County faithful had finally realized their dreams. When things got chippy towards the end, Bears head coach Calvin Dockery called a timeout. From there, Butler County put the icing on the cake.
Just like that, the “Road to Rupp” was complete. In a dominant 73-57 effort, the Butler County Bears captured their first-ever 3rd Region Championship. The all-so-familiar “Go big blue!” chants rained down from a sold-out crowd at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
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Owensboro Catholic 57 | Butler County 73 | Final The #RoadToRupp is COMPLETE for the Butler County Bears! They go 15-0 against inter-region opponents to capture their FIRST EVER 3rd Region Championship! They’ll take on Evangel Christian in the first round of the Sweet 16! pic.twitter.com/J9GTI4cLu5
Ty Price recaps the game following 36-point outing
Following the game and his 36-point effort, Butler County’s Ty Price spoke to KSR about the big win.
“It’s huge for us as a team, and especially for us as a community,” Price said. “It’s huge for our coaches, it’s just a big accomplishment for us.” Of course, you can be as talented of a team as you want, but if your team chemistry isn’t there, then the success will be limited. Price talked about that as well.
“I think our friendship as a whole [makes us who we are]. We kind of all grew up playing together, and I think that’s something that a lot of teams don’t have.”
So, now that the Bears made it to Rupp Arena, what’s next? Well, as Price put it, it’s all about getting on people’s radars.
“We just want to go up there and make some noise,” Price explained. “Anything can happen at the state tournament, and we play teams like [Owensboro Catholic] all year. That’s why we schedule a hard schedule… we’ll be ready. We’ll be prepared when we get up there.”
The Bears will take on a tough Evangel Christian team, ranked No. 8 in the state, that squeaked by Fairdale to win the 6th Region. The game is scheduled for March 21st at 1:30 p.m. EST. Congrats to Butler County on punching their ticket to the Sweet 16.
