Bell City nips Vianney at Hoopfest

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Bell City boys basketball team is used to being able to count on its perimeter shooting to pull out close ball games.

But the Cubs shot 0-for-18 from 3-point range Saturday and still won.

Bell City, a Class 1 team, held on for a 43-41 victory over Class 5 Vianney from St. Louis County in the second annual Heartland Hoopfest at Perry Park Center.

Bell City -- which returned four starters from its fourth-place squad in Class 1 last year -- improved to 5-1, while Vianney fell to 4-2.

"You get positives out of this," first-year Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said. "I think our defense was good. We didn't hit a shot and to still win, we're happy with that."

The game was close throughout, as Bell City relied on putbacks and layups and Vianney survived with the help of free throws. The Cubs led by as many as eight points in the third quarter, while Vianney's largest lead was three points in the opening minutes of the first quarter.

A couple of minutes into the fourth quarter both teams were right back where they started the game, knotted at 36-36. Jeff Liggins scored to put Bell City ahead 38-36, and a basket by Marty Dames a few minutes later pushed the lead to 42-36.

Vianney made five of six free throws to close to 42-41 with 23.9 seconds remaining. The Golden Griffins had the ball in the final 10 seconds with a shot to win it, but Dave Stewart's shot from inside rimmed out.

Bell City's 6-foot-9 junior Will Bogan was fouled on the rebound, sending him to the line for two. Bogan hit one to give Bell City a 43-41 lead, and the Cubs stole the home run pass on the inbound to secure the win.

Bogan led the Cubs with 14 points despite being double and triple-teamed throughout the game. He was 4-for-6 from the free-throw line.

BELL CITY 43, VIANNEY 41

Vianney 10 10 12 9 -- 41

Bell City 10 12 12 9 -- 43

VIANNEY (41) -- Tommy Cochran 13, Dave Stewart 10, Kurt Schreiber 11, Jeff Schoor 3, Dan Tipton 2, Bruce Beal 2. FG 11, FT 19-24, F14 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)

NOTRE DAME (43) -- Will Bogan 14, Phillip Gross 8, Jeff Liggins 7, Marty Dames 6, Nick Niemczyk 5, Kerry Wayne Lasters 3. FG 16, FT 9-20, F 16 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)