Bethel Baptist School’s JV basketball team clinched a Division 1 championship and a berth in the state tournament by defeating Glen Iris of Birmingham at home Friday night. The win enabled to Bobcats to push their season record to 13-1 and put a thrilling climax to the school’s homecoming observance.

The Bobcats led 8-4 after one quarter, 21-6 at halftime, 31-10 after three quarters and 33-13 at the end of the game.

Mitchell Gamble paced the win with 12 points, Andrew Todd followed with 11 and Shawn Metzger added eight. Brett Turner had six points for Glen Iris.

“We came out slow but I’m proud of the way they turned up the intensity in the second half, “ said Bethel head coach Nathan Hawkins. “We knew at the beginning of the season that we had the potential to compete for a state championship, and we took a step toward that goal in this game.”

Glen Iris 61, Bethel 31

Bethel’s Varsity (3-11) was overmatched by Glen Iris Christian losing 61-31. Bethel jumped out to a 8-0 lead, but got outscored 8-33 the rest of the first half.

Bethel was led in scoring by Cole Schmidt and Andrew Dodd each with 9 followed by Mitchell Gamble with 6, Clint Chisgar with 4, and Tyler Lawrence with 2. Glen Iris was led in scoring by TJ Dantzler with 27.

Bethel JV 36, Brooklane 31

Bethel Baptist School’s JV basketball team (13-1) avenged its only loss of the season by defeating Brooklane Christian 36-31 on Jan. 11. A trio of freshmen let the team in scoring. Isaac Bunner scored 12 points, Mitchell Gamble had 11 points and Andrew Dodd added nine points. Marcus Moody paced Brooklane with 14 points.

Bethel Varsity 46, Brooklane 53

Bethel Baptist School’s varsity basketball team (3-10) trailed by only two points at halftime, 22-24, before losing to Brooklane Christian 53-46 on Jan. 11. Bethel was led in scoring by Mitchell Gamble with 22 points. Clint Chisgar followed with eighth points and Isaac Bunner added six. Brooklane was led by Alton Colvin with 24 points. Marcus Moody had 19.