If the fans at Bethel High School were impressed at the start of their boys basketball game with Newton, they were speechless at how things went in the third quarter.

The Bees opened up fast on the Indians, jumping out to a fast 17-3 lead in the first quarter, en route to their 77-34 rout of Newton in conference play.
But in the third quarter, the Bees performed a rarity in the boys game, as they shutout the Indians 23-0 over those eight minutes to seal away this victory.
“We tried to close out better under pressure tonight,” said Bethel coach Rick Hickman.  “Teams have been able to hit some three’s on us the last few games, and I felt we could get after them with the big guys tonight.”
Bethel exploded out of the gate, as Jon Sutton buried a three to open the scoring, and before Newton knew what hit them, it was 10-0 quick.  Sutton scored half of those points.
After Newton finally broke through with a three, the Bees came back with seven consecutive to take the early 14 point lead.
Newton came back with a pair of baskets to close the Bethel lead under double figures, but the Bees capped the first quarter in style.
Over the final 1:35, Daniel Yates took over, scoring all seven of Bethel’s points, and giving the host squad a 24-9 lead after one.
“We didn’t give them too many second shots tonight,” Hickman said.  “We used our height advantage.”
In the game, Bethel outrebounded the Indians 45-15.
Bethel came back to open the second quarter and kept the attack on.  They scored the first nine points in three minutes, thanks mostly to the play of Kyle Seale and Scott Masin.
Michael James buried a pair of threes midway through the second period, giving the Bees a 39-11 lead before the Indians could muster any kind of offense.
In the final minute of the half, Newton scored a quick six straight points before the Bees walked into the locker room at halftime leading 48-21.
“We did a good job with our defense tonight,” Hickman said.  “If we gave them good shots at the basket, there is a chance it would have been a ballgame. We just needed to contain and pressure them.  I challenged the guys tonight to do that.”
The third quarter was a disaster for the Indians, as the Bees never let up, shutting the Newton offense to no points, and putting the game out of reach.
Masin exploded for eight points in the period, including a dunk that woke up the crowd during the eight minute onslaught.  After three, the Bees led 71-21.
“Scott did a great job keeping poised…they went after him,” Hickman said.  “They got physical with him and he did a great job.”
Masin led all scorers with 14 points and 10 rebounds, with five blocks. James added 13 points, while Sutton had 12, and Seale 11.
Bethel returns to action Friday night at league leader Franklin-Monroe, then return home Saturday, Feb. 6 on Hall of Fame Night against Greenon