Minus two starters due to the Bell County football team still alive in the 3A state playoffs, the basketball Bobcats fell 69-58 to Madison Southern on Saturday in the G.J. Smith Showcase at South Laurel High School.
Freshman guard Jaxon Thomas poured in 25 points to lead the Bobcats. Ethan Hall and Cameron Buell added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Braxton Ferguson came off the bench to score six, Logan Stepp added two. Cameron Burnett and Cayden Huff, both starters for Bell last season, are still with the Bell football team, which will play Christian Academy-Louisville on Saturday at noon in the 3A state finals.
Bell grabbed an early 15-11 lead after one quarter in the scrimmage as Buell and Hall each hit 3-pointers. Madison Southern fought back to go up 31-21at halftime and led 52-39 after three quarters.
Bell County will open its regular season schedule Tuesday at home against Cordia in a 6 p.m. game.