VAN – Despite not pulling out a win in the regular season, the Van Bulldogs had something to prove in their sectional tournament: That they were better than their 0-21 record indicated.

Van lost multiple games by less than 10 points and felt it had a good chance to take down its first sectional opponent, Burch.

Despite a valiant effort and holding a lead until the third quarter, the Boone County Bulldogs fell to the Mingo County Bulldogs 55-40, ending a season filled with growth and encouragement for the blue-and-gold squad.

The Bulldogs led 18-15 at halftime.

“We were taking care of the ball and playing phenomenal defense,” Van coach Anthony Jones said. “We played a box-and-one on (Ryan) Hatfield and held him to two points in the first half.”

Hatfield scored 25 points against the Bulldogs during their last meeting on Feb. 11 in which Burch defeated Van 71-41.

Burch used a 40-22 second-half scoring advantage to eliminate Van.

“They came out in a diamond press in the second half and forced several turnovers in a row and we gave up some easy baskets that gave them the lead,” Jones said. “We went in to panic mode and started missing easy shots and throwing the ball away. A lot of those 5-foot shots we missed could have been points that made the difference in the game.”

Senior guard Donnie Markins led the Bulldogs with nine points in his last game in a Van uniform.

Junior forward Loren Harshbarger and freshman guard Matt Doss added six points apiece. Freshman guard Matt White scored five points.

Ryan Hatfield finished with 14 points for Burch.

The Bulldogs will begin off-season workouts Monday, Jones said.

“They are already wanting to get back after it,” Jones said. “We are making a commitment to get to where we want to be.”