Bethlehem hit 8-of-16 from three-land in the first half to set the tone for the blowout. Four guys scored in double figures:

 

Thomas Mudd - 18

Jordan Cooper - 16

Jalen Phillips - 14 (also 5 assists)

Brandon Ray - 11

 

Eagles advance to Saturday's championship, where they await the winner between tomorrow night's Bardstown-Washington Co. matchup.

 

Incidentally, tonight's win moved Bethlehem to 22-4. The last time a Bethlehem team won 22 games was 1997-98, when they were coached by ... Artie Braden, who left the following season to turn around the Washington Co. program before starting up the John Hardin program a few years later. Now, in his second season back at Bethlehem after a brief stint at Nelson County, he's got the Eagles looking like a contender in the 5th.

Don't know much about Bethlehem so I have to ask this question? Do they really have a chance against the 17th district teams? I know they have a lot of wins, but some say their schedule was pretty weak. I'm not knocking them. I just didn't know how they would stack up against some of the other fifth region teams.

Don't know much about Bethlehem so I have to ask this question? Do they really have a chance against the 17th district teams? I know they have a lot of wins, but some say their schedule was pretty weak. I'm not knocking them. I just didn't know how they would stack up against some of the other fifth region teams.

 

Their schedule is weak, but they stand a very good chance against anything the 17th has. They play disciplined ball, very unselfish, and do a great job of confusing opponents with their defensive schemes and forcing tempo. Plus, they have an outstanding coach -- the best in the region.

 

Bardstown, who Bethlehem beat by 19 last time they played, is still the favorite in the region.