It was a successful week for the Bethel boys basketball team, as they added to their win total for the season with a pair of non league victories.  For the girls' squad, they were in line for their first win of the season, before faltering late in their game against Southeastern.
The boys opened action on Friday against Emmanuel Christian, and the Bees left no doubt early about the outcome of the game.  They jumped on them 17-2 after one quarter of play, then continued their offensive attack.  Bethel added 21 points in the second quarter, and when the halftime buzzer sounded, they enjoyed a solid 38-14 advantage.
Coach Rick Hickman's squad showed no letdown in the second half, as they came out and put the grip on EC with a 19-4 quarter, increasing their lead to an insurmountable 57-18 heading to the fourth period.  It was an easy non-league victory for the Bees.
Sophomore Patrick Bain led a balanced attack with 18 points, as three players scored in double figures for the Bees.  Gus Schweiterman added 12 for Bethel, while Dusty Elsass scored 10.  Two more players scored seven including Brandon James and Johnny Wills, as Bethel won their seventh game of the season.
The following night, it was the Bees again flexing some muscle and doing what they are supposed to do.  The key when playing a team who is struggling is to get the early lead and not let them back in it.
The Bees jumped out on Xenia Christian 20-8 after one period, and cruised to a 65-41 non-league victory.  Again, their defense stepped up, holding Xenia Christian to 13 first-half points, while Bethel led 37-13 at the intermission.  Bethel had the edge in the third period before XC came storming back in the fourth, still falling short.
Again it was a good balanced attack leading the Bees (8-2), as Schweiterman led with 16, Bain and Kyle Hamlin added 10, and Elsass scored nine.
Bethel returns to action Friday night hosting Ansonia at 8 pm.
* For the Bethel girls, their first win of the season was a mere eight minutes away.  They were staring right at one of the traditional Division Four powers in the face for three quarters, before blinking in the fourth and dropping a 36-25 decision to Southeastern.
Bethel (now 0-14) led 10-8 after one, and shocked the crowd by walking off the court at halftime leading the Trojans 16-12.  Southeastern, who has made multiple appearances in the regional tournament, was struggling and the Lady Bees were defending their home turf.
Bethel still led by one heading to the fourth, before Jenna Erwin and company took over.  Erwin, the Southeastern standout headed to Cedarville University next season, turned up the heat and ended with 19 points, as Southeastern outscored the Bees 15-3 over the final eight minutes for the win.  Katelyn Cripps led Bethel with 10 points, while Mandy Shoopman added nine for the Bees in the loss.
Things weren't so good last Thursday, as the Lady Bees traveled to National Trail for a league contest against the Blazers.  The home team jumped out on the Bees 16-2, and put them away in the second half for an easy 67-23 victory.  Cripps and Shoopman each scored six to lead the Bees, while Makayla Abner led everyone with a game high 23 points.
Capping off the week, the Bees lost to Tri County North 52-12, as Bethel was held to only two points in the second half.  Krista Burchett led Bethel with five points, while Emily Mongaraz added four.
Bethel will next be in action at Twin Valley South tomorrow.