The Butler Bears are playing for the Archie Tournament championship after earning consecutive wins over Midway and Harrisonville, using defense, balance, and composure to navigate their way through the bracket.

Butler opened tournament play with a strong 56–30 win over Midway, setting the tone early and building momentum that carried into the semifinal round.

Against Midway, the Bears wasted little time establishing control. Butler jumped out to a 17–5 lead after the first quarter and continued to build on it with steady scoring and defensive pressure throughout the first half. The Bears took a 25–18 advantage into halftime before pulling away in the second half with a dominant third quarter.

Butler outscored Midway 16–12 in the third quarter and continued to stretch the lead in the fourth, closing out the game with confidence. The Bears’ offense was balanced and consistent, while their defense limited Midway’s ability to string together scoring runs.

Kylee Dubray led Butler with 27 points in the opening-round win, providing a steady presence on both ends of the floor. Kiersten Dubray added 11 points, while Georgia McCoun chipped in 10 as the Bears advanced with a convincing performance.

That momentum carried into the semifinal matchup against Harrisonville, where Butler once again leaned on defense early before finding its offensive rhythm in a 40–24 victory.

Scoring came at a premium in the opening quarter against the Wildcats, as Butler struggled to find the basket. However, the Bears’ defensive intensity kept them in front, allowing Butler to hold a 6–2 lead after one.

The offense found its spark when Georgia McCoun connected from long range, igniting the Bears and helping them settle in offensively. Butler continued to clamp down defensively in the second quarter, holding Harrisonville to just five points in the period and taking a 14–7 lead into halftime.

Defensively, Butler was anchored by Kylee Dubray, who controlled the paint throughout the night. Dubray shut down driving lanes, altered shots at the rim, and made Harrisonville hesitant to even attack the basket. The Wildcats frequently pulled back or settled for contested perimeter attempts rather than challenging the interior. Dubray finished with approximately five blocks, serving as the backbone of a Bears defense that dictated the pace of the game.

Harrisonville attempted to respond after halftime, but Butler answered each push. The Bears outscored the Wildcats 14–8 in the third quarter, extending the margin to 28–15 and firmly seizing control.

Butler stayed composed in the fourth quarter, spreading the scoring and continuing to win the effort areas to close out the contest. The Bears added 12 points in the final period while holding Harrisonville to nine, sealing the 16-point win.

McCoun led Butler with 14 points in the semifinal, while Kiersten Dubray added 11.

With wins over Midway and Harrisonville, the Bears now advance to the Archie Tournament championship, carrying confidence built on defensive toughness, balanced scoring, and the ability to control games on both ends of the floor.

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Photos by Erin Dubray (from Harisonville game) and Carmen Behringer (from Midway game)