BOURBON — End 2023 on a winning note.

That was the goal last Thursday night for Johnny Viehland’s Belle Tiger basketball team going into their Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) opener on the road in Bourbon against the host Warhawks.

Doubling up Bourbon 40-20 in the first half, Belle put the game away with a 20-1 third-quarter run before going on to a 73-36 road victory along Interstate 44 in Crawford County.

Leading four Tigers in double figures, senior Brayden Cadwallader scored 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half to go with five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Hot from long distance, Cadwallader hit for five 3-pointers against the Warhawks.

Myles Butler, Glayden Woodruff and Baylar Smith each added 12 points rounding out Belle’s double-digit scoring quartet.

Also celebrating his birthday on the hardwood, Smith pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds giving him a double double on the night.

Woodruff (4) and Butler (3) combined to dish out seven of Belle’s 20 assists.

Hank Stratman and Garrett Gehlert each added seven points while Avery Craigmiles and Logan Stratman each canned a second-half 3-pointer for three points rounding out a balanced scoring attack for Viehland’s Tigers in Bourbon.

Titus Nolie led the host Warhawks with 10 points and five rebounds.

Brett Butler’s Belle JV Tigers looked to end the 2023 portion of their season on a three-game winning streak with a victory over Bourbon’s JV Warhawks.

Opening the game on a 14-1 run, Belle took a 20-5 lead after one quarter before cruising into halftime with a 35-9 lead.

Edged 8-7 in the third quarter, Belle ended the game on a 12-3 run before going on to a 54-20 victory.

Kooper Elrod led Butler’s JV Tigers with 12 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Cooper Guinn also reached double digits with 11 points to go with a solid stat line of five steals, four assists and three rebounds.

Kaegen Kinsey nearly made it three in double figures for Belle finishing with eight points and six rebounds.

Lukas Smith flirted with a double double finishing with six points while pulling down a game-high seven rebounds.

Adding four points apiece were the JV Tiger trio of Connor Weigel, Brayden Barzee and Craigmiles.

Hank Willis added three points while Peyton Gagliardo rounded out Belle’s scoring with a third-quarter bucket for two points.

Toran Leach led the JV Warhawks with eight points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Entering 2024 5-1 on the young season, Butler’s JV Tigers will open the new year in front of their home fans on Tuesday, Jan. 2 hosting Iberia’s Rangers at Belle High School with a 6 p.m., tip off.

Viehland’s varsity Tigers will enter 2024 with a 6-4 overall record.