FAIRBORN – It was very questionable what was nastier on Friday night: the roads getting to the Nutter Center, or the Bethel Bees defense in the first round of the Boys Division Three sectional tournament.

On a night where the weather conditions were treacherous trying to make the drive to the Wright State campus, the Bees came out and slapped a strong defense performance on the West Liberty Salem Tigers, winning their first round game 47-29.
“West Liberty is a good basketball team, and they have played some team very tough,” said Bethel coach Rick Hickman.  “They made me very nervous coming in, and hit some three’s in the second half.  They have more than just the one kid (Jarred Merrick) who can play.”
Bethel came out and started in a hurry, scoring the games first eight points in two minutes.  Grant Samuel scored strong on the inside to open the game, then after a pair of three-point shots from Daniel Yates and Jon Sutton, the Bees led quickly 8-0.
Merrick brought the Tigers back just as quick, scoring five points in the next two minutes to close the gap to 8-5. 
The Bees then ended the first quarter holding the Tigers scoreless over the last 3:05, and scoring five points of their own, including a pair of free throws by Sutton, giving Bethel an 11-5 lead after one period.
Bethel’s defense continued to play well in the second quarter, allowing only five more points, all from Merrick. The senior had all 10 of West Liberty Salem’s points in the first half.
While the Bees were shutting down the Tigers, their offense was producing.  Scott Masin scored six points in the period, while Sutton and Michael James each added two.  At the half, the Bees led 21-10.
“Playing in here is a lot different for most of these kids, since the backdrop is different than in a normal high school gym,” Hickman said.  “We did feel good about our defense tonight; we just have to close out more.  They played hard and did a good job.”
The Tigers came out on fire to open the second half, as Sean King buried a pair of three-pointers in the first minute of the second half, closing the Bethel lead to 21-16.  But the Bees figured they have seen enough.
For the final seven minutes of the quarter, Bethel did not allow West Liberty Salem to score.  The Bees scored the final ten points of the quarter, as Sutton and Masin each scored four points.
Leading 31-16 heading to the fourth, the Bees were never threatened again, as they pushed their lead to over 20 points at one point. 
Bethel now plays Northridge in the second round of the sectionals on Friday night, 6:30 at UD Arena.
 
Box

WLS (29)- Daulton 11, Hormann 2, Mack 2, Mayse 1, Merrick 13.  Total 29.
Bethel (47)- Holtvogt 2, James 6, Masin 15, Samuel 4, Seale 4, Sutton 13, Yates 3.  Total 47
 
WLS-  5  10  16  29
BHS- 11 21  31  47