With their three seniors hitting the floor for one last time at Bethel High School, the Lady Bees wanted to send Emily Ellerbrock, Brook Cornett and Kendal Banks out in style.
Thanks to a strong fourth quarter, the Lady Bees did just that, earning a 49-35 victory over Mississinawa Valley on Saturday.  Bethel now looks ahead to the sectional tournament, which begin for them on Saturday.
“It was a fantastic win for our seniors, they dream to end their careers with a day like this,” said Bethel coach Ed Quincel, who ends the regular season 9-11 overall, 7-5 in the Cross County Conference.
The first quarter saw the Lady Bees jump out to a 9-4 lead, as Cornett and Ellerbrock did the offensive damage.  Cornett scored five and Ellerbrock had four, as Bethel enjoyed their five point lead.
Cornett scored again in the final minute to close the scoring in the first period, as Bethel led 11-7.  With those two points late, Cornett had seven in the period.
“She has stepped up lately for us, and has gained a lot of confidence,” Quincel said.  “She had 17 recently against Franklin-Monroe, and has been playing well for us.”
Neither team could muster much offense in first five minutes of the second quarter, as only five total points were scored.  With 2:22 left in the half, Bethel led 13-10 as Ellerbrock poured in a pair of free throws.  She added a layup one minute later and the Lady Bees led 17-12.
The Lady Blackhawks scored four points in the final minute of the half, and cut the Bethel lead to 19-16 at the intermission.
“We played good defense all day, and I told them at halftime that we needed to hold them to only one look at the basket,” Quincel said, referring to the second shot attempts by MV earlier. 
The Hawks came out and controlled the early part of the third quarter, actually leading 20-19 at one point.  Katelyn Cripps hit a free throw and Mercedes Nelson a following layup to give Bethel the lead at 23-22. They would never lose it again.
“When they took the lead on us, I was a bit worried,” Quincel said.  “But the seniors didn’t even sweat it too much.  Being down like that doesn’t bother them too much.”
Bethel came back with a huge 6-0 run to enjoy a 29-22 lead toward the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, the Lady Bees pushed their lead into double figures, as Ellerbrock and Casey Seale scored early.
“All of the seniors have been great this year,” Quincel said.   “They have had great attitudes, and it rubs off on the younger kids.  They are playing different from the beginning of the year.”
One downfall was the fact that Bethel missed unofficially 17 free throws in the game.
“We haven’t really practiced all week, and I’m not too worried about that,” Quincel said.  “I chalk that up to rust.  I think the last 7-8 games, we have been playing as good as anyone.”
That will be put to the test Saturday, as the Lady Bees open sectional tournament play at Brookville against Newton.  Gametime is 3 p.m.  Tickets are $7 at the door, but presale sold at Bethel are only $5.
“We have to come out and play good defense,” Quincel said.  “They won’t back down to you.”

Miss. Vly (35) Rahmert 2, LeMaster 3, Murphy 2, Sain 4, Schmitz 6, Cox 6, Wicker 4, Neargarter 2, Jessup 6.  Total 35.
Bethel (49) Cornett 11, Ellerbrock 19, Banks 2, Cripps 3, Burchett 2, Seale 2, Mercedes Nelson 6, MacKenzie Nelson 4.  Total 49.

MV-   7  16  24  35
BHS-11 19  29  49