Ending the regular season with a 48-47 loss at Cuba on Saturday, Feb. 20, Chris Feeler’s Belle Tigers had a quick turnaround to their Class 3, District 8 boys basketball tournament last Tuesday night on the road against Tipton’s Cardinals.

Trailing 33-14 at halftime, Belle was not able to get any closer before seeing their season end at 5-11 after a 68-41 loss to Tipton.

Falling behind 17-8 after one quarter, Gentry Dunn led the Tigers with four first-quarter points.

Outscored 16-6 in the second quarter, Belle trailed 33-14 at halftime led in the first half by six points from Dunn.

Seeing Tipton score 30 third-quarter points, Belle got six each from Jace Gieck and Sam Willis leaving them trailing 63-26 going into the fourth quarter.

In spite of winning the fourth quarter 15-5, Feeler’s Tigers saw their season end in the opening round of districts.

Dunn and Gieck led the Tigers with 14 points apiece. Gieck did most of his damage with 12 second-half points.

Willis finished with nine points while senior guard Lane Feeler was held to three points. Cole Loughridge rounded out the Belle scoring with a fourth-quarter free throw for one point.

In voting by the tournament coaches, Feeler was one of 10 players selected to the Class 3, District 8 All-District Team.

Joining Feeler on the All-District Team was Caleb Maasen (Linn), Alek Peters (Linn), Jake Whittle (Iberia), Gabe Plemmons (Iberia), Connor Wolf (Tipton), Kobe Halley (Iberia), Charlie Miller (Russellville), Jack Moon (Tipton) and Blain Broderson (Stover).

Clay Crouch from Linn was chosen as the district coach of the year.

Opponents of Belle Tiger basketball still playing as of press time included Linn’s Wildcats, Steelville’s Cardinals and Newburg’s Wolves.