Bearcats keep on winning

Not even injury or illness has managed to slow down Booneville.

The Bearcats (24-1, 14-0 3A-4) completed a perfect run through the 3A-4 Conference with a 55-35 win over Perryville on Tuesday evening even though they were without a starter and their sixth man.

Booneville also notched their 23rd consecutive victory, despite the fact that guard Camryn Lawson and post Noah Reyes were both sidelined with the flu.

The Bearcats have dealt with a variety of injuries and other issues this season that have sidelined players, but that hasn’t stopped them. “It’s just been a combination of experience and the team staying hungry,” Booneville coach Ronnie Denton said. “We had a guy who hadn’t played quality minutes all season come in and score eight points and another get a basket.

“These guys just continue to impress me. Everything that’s been thrown at us, these guys have handled it.”

Blakley Cobb, a 6-5 senior swingman, leads the Bearcats in scoring and rebounds. He’s averaging 17 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, but he has help. Logan Bradley, a 6-8 senior who also missed some games, adds 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 blocked shots. Grant Goers also pitches in 10.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

Booneville claimed its first conference basketball title in school history, Denton said. It clinched a spot in the regional tournament in Perryville and plays Wednesday in the semifinals of the 3A-4 District tournament on Wednesday at Two Rivers.

But first, the Bearcats will close out the regular season tonight at County Line to tune-up for postseason play.