Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The 2023 season for Lady Cat softball came to an end last night at the Region 3 Tournament, hosted by Grayson County, as Edmonson County fell to Owensboro Catholic 7-1.

The Lady Cats struggled to generate offense, putting up only three hits in the semifinal match up.

Lady Ace pitcher Brooke Hamilton, who was coming off a perfect game against Meade County on Sunday, threw 7 innings, struck out 15, and walked only one in the O. Catholic win. Hamilton found success with pitches high in the zone that fooled many Lady Cat batters.

"We knew that she was going to throw high and I think we focused too much on that, because we stayed away from other pitches lower in the zone and it hurt us," said Head Coach Alex Jane Massey. "Our mindset was to look high, but then we didn't do well when she came in low. The girls made an adjustment the second time through, and that helped some. In a game against a tough pitcher like this, improving from one bat to the next is about all you can do."

The state champion is the only team that gets to end the season on a win. For everyone else, they go home with a loss, and it's always someone's final game. Last night, that moment came for three Lady Cat seniors who have played integral parts to the team over their time in Edmonson County uniforms.

Shortstop Callie Webb, catcher Annie Kiper, and center fielder Alyssa Doyle helped this year's Lady Cats notch their first winning season since 2016. While they had hoped to capture the first district championship since that same year, goals reached from this year's team helped soften the finality of last night. All three are multi-sport athletes with exceptional academics.

"We did some things we wanted to do this year," said Alyssa Doyle. "We wanted to make it through the whole season without being shut out and we weren't going to be run-ruled, and we did that."

In addition, the winning season, the district runner-up, and being only the second Lady Cat fast pitch team to win a region tournament game will bring lasting memories.

Seven of the nine starters on this year's team hit home runs in their careers, a feat never been done with a Lady Cat softball roster.

Coach Massey described this year's team as one "ready to fight and never quit."

"I think these kids have show since the beginning of the season that everything's a fight. We made our opponents fight because that's what we did all year long."

She was passionate about the seniors that will move on to other endeavors.

"I just told our seniors out there how proud I am of them. The way that they led our team this year, and they all lead differently. We needed every piece of the puzzle that those seniors gave. They were all key parts one way or another. I believe that all three of these girls are going to go on and do something huge with their lives..." she said as she was overcome with emotion.

Annie Kiper, Julie Norris, and Jolee Vincent all went 1-3 last night. Norris pitched 7 innings, gave up 13 hits, earning 5 runs, while she struck out 4 and walked 2.

Batting leaders for this year's team were: (minimum 70 at-bats)

• Annie Kiper, .480
  
• Callie Webb, .467
  
• Julie Norris, .380
  

Norris finished the season ranked #24 in the state in pitching wins (17), and #11 in innings pitched (178).

Callie Webb, who will play softball next year at Campbellsville, ranked #40 statewide for doubles on the season (14).

Edmonson County finishes with a record of 17-11.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Softball fans got their money's worth yesterday during the grueling 12-inning marathon between Edmonson County and Muhlenberg County in the first round of the Region 3 Tournament held at Grayson County High School. What was nearly two complete softball games ended up being the first region tournament win for the Lady Cats since the region runner-up team from 2013. This year's team is only the second one in school history for fast pitch to advance in a regional tournament.

In addition, sophomore Lady Cat pitcher Julie Norris endured the entire 12-inning contest from the pitcher's circle, throwing an incredible 181 pitches over the course 48 batters faced.

The Lady Cats scored their first run in the top of the third after a single by senior Annie Kiper, another single by Kaylee Ann Sanders, a sac fly from senior Callie Webb that moved both runners over, then a walk by Norris. Jolee Vincent was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded as the Lady Cats took a 1-0 lead.

Edmonson held the lead until the bottom of the 6th when the Lady Mustangs reached on a single and then two consecutive hit-by-pitches. Another single allowed Muhlenberg to tie the score at 1-1. Edmonson held them in the bottom of the 7th to force extra innings.

After a ground out to start the top of the 9th, Edmonson County's Kiper singled, followed by a walk for Sanders. Callie Webb then singled on a line drive to right, scoring Kiper and moving Sanders to third. Sanders then stole home on a passed ball and another error by the pitcher allowed Webb to score for a 4-1 lead.

The lead was short lived as the Lady Mustangs answered with a double, single, then a two-run triple with no outs to cut the lead to 4-3. A sac fly then tied things up again for Muhlenberg County. After another single, Norris was able to get out of the inning with a strikeout.

Both the 10th and 11th innings were non-eventful for both teams. Then, with two outs in the top of the 12th, senior Alyssa Doyle singled on a liner to left field. With Doyle battling illness for the last couple days, Emma Davis entered the game as a courtesy runner on first. Brooklynn Wilson then drove a ball to deep center, which was dropped by the center fielder. The error allowed Wilson to advance to second and Davis scored the go-ahead run to make it 5-4.

The drama continued in the bottom of the 12th as the Lady Mustangs started the inning with a single from Joshlynn Noe. She then stole second to put the tying run in scoring position. A sac bunt from Jaycee Phillips moved her over to third with one out.

Pitcher Josie Davis then bunted in front of the plate. Catcher Annie Kiper fielded the ball, threw to first to get the batter out while Noe attempted to take home from third. First baseman Makayla Hogg threw a perfect throw back to Kiper, who blocked the plate and tagged the runner out in dramatic fashion for a double play to end the game.

After the celebration, Head Coach Alex Jane Massey discussed how her team made it through the two-and-a-half hour challenge.

"That was a team effort," she said. "One-through-nine, everybody on the field at sometime had to make a play, had to get on base, or had to do something. I never looked out there and thought those kids were going to lose, and they never thought they were going to lose. When you constantly play behind each other like that, you're able to make a big play like that at the end. That was no easy play by any means, but they knew what was going on and we came out on top."

The Lady Cats don't have a surplus of pitching. In fact, only a couple of other pitchers have been used all season and in very short spans. Julie Norris has been a workhorse for Edmonson County all year. She is currently ranked in the top 50 in the state in two categories: #28 in wins with 16, and in the top 20 in innings pitched with 170.

"Julie was so focused today and she wanted it," said Massey. "Every pitch she had today was working. She was not going to come off that mound with a loss. I know you've called her 'a mule,' before, but she is. And today she definitely pulled the wagon."

Kiper was 3-6, Callie Webb went 2-5 with an RBI, Doyle was 2-6, Sanders was 1-4, Vincent was 1-5 with an RBI, and Wilson was 1-5.

Norris went a full 12 innings, gave up 13 hits, earned 4 runs, walked one, and struck out 6.

Yesterday's win for the Lady Cats was the longest game in Region 3 Tournament play since 2005. The last region win in 2013 was coached by Kevin Clemmons and assisted by his daughter, Alex Jane Clemmons, (now Massey). Clemmons now assists Massey some 10 years later.

Edmonson County is now 17-10 on the season and is scheduled to face Owensboro Catholic in the semi-finals on Tuesday night at 8PM.

• Haley Shields earned All Region in the shot put placing 6th and in the discus by placing 5th 
• Emma White earned All Region in the long jump placing 6th and in the Triple Jump by placing 6th
• Cariann Williams earned All Region in the girls High Jump placing 2nd to qualify for the State Meet 
• Whitney Davis earned All Region in the girls High Jump placing 5th 
• For the boys,  the 4 x 800 team of Brandon Lindsey, Braden Wall , Aidan Meredith, and Ashton Johnson earned all region placing 2nd to qualify for the state meet
• The boys 4 x 200 team of Tyler Anderson, Braden Wall, Landon Fraich, and David Brewer earned all region placing 6th 
• Brandon Lindsey earned all Region in the mile placing 4th 
• Tyler Anderson earned all Region in the 400 meter dash placing 4th 
• Brandon Lindsey finished 2nd in the the 2 mile run to qualify for the state meet
• Ashton Johnson placed 4th in the 2 mile to earn all region
• The boys 4 x 400 team of Tyler Anderson, Landon Frainch , David Brewer and Braden Wall earned all region placing 4th 
• Kasey Webb finished 2nd in the shot put automatically qualifying for the state meet 
• David Brewer finished 3rd in the Long jump earning all region 
• Braxton Highbaugh earned all region in the triple jump finishing 6th 
• Landon Frainch finished 2nd in the boys high jump earning all region and qualifying for the state meet.
• Blake Talley finished 4th in the pole vault earning all region.  

So far the track team has 14 automatic qualifiers for the KHSAA State Championships at the University of Kentucky on June 1st.

Other finishers were:

100 meter dash-
Taylor Detwiler 19th
Whitney Davis 23rd
David Brewer 8th
Blake Shields 16th

Girls 4 x 200 7th-
Whitney Davis, Emma White, Taylor Detwiler, Kenadi Swihart 

Boys 4 x 200 6th-
Tyler Anderson, Braden Wall, Landon Franich, David Brewer

Girls 4 x 100 12th-
Greenlee Goins, Lilly Anderson, Brylee Goins, Ella Madison

Boys 4 x 100 9th-
Jackson Logsdon , Blake Shields, Blake Webb, Carter Swihart

400 meter-
Owen Ruth 10th

300 meter hurdles-
Carter Swihart 7th

800 meter-
Aidan Meredith 10th

200 meter-
Jackson Logsdon 12th
Blake Shields 13th

Boys shot put-
Caden Swihart 8th

Boys discus-
Austin McCombs 7th
Seth Baker 14th

Boys Triple Jump-
Owen Ruth 9th

Head Coach Brad Meredith said he is very proud of the track team student athletes, as they have worked hard throughout the entire season.

"We have many that automatically qualified for State and hopefully some more that will," he said. "I know we celebrate big for those athletes and rightfully so, but all of our athletes should be celebrated the same way. We had some kids like Carter Swihart that ran the 300 hurdles today, and only has run them once all year to try score points for his team.  Our 4 x 100 teams-- it was some of the kids' only event of the day and they traveled hours away to run that one event to try and score points for their team.  Some of our throwers are the same way--that's their only event, so I am super proud of them.  We had a lot of young athletes that this was their first region and they will be big-time contributors for the next couple of years for our team."

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
Things didn't go as well as planned last night at James Woodcock Field at ECHS, as the Lady Cats fell 11-5 to Butler County in the District 12 Championship finals, but Edmonson County is already looking to make the best out of it with more softball to play in the Region 3 Tournament that will be held at Grayson County on Saturday.

It will be the first region play for the Lady Cats since 2016 and this year is the first winning season for Edmonson County since that time. This season has had many firsts for members of this team, and winning is on the top of the list.

"We didn't play our best tonight, I'm not going to make any bones about that. I'm not going to try to act like we did, we just didn't," said Head Coach Alex Jane Massey. "We came on a little too late and it gives a team like Butler County, well, you just can't do that. You got to come out fighting from the very beginning and we waited a little too long to do that. I think the nerves were still on. We got a lot of young kids out there, and honestly, none of these kids have ever played in a district championship softball game. Some of them have played other sports, you know we have some basketball kids that got to experience a district championship, and Alyssa (Doyle) has played in some volleyball (championships), but softball-wise, this is the first for all of these kids and it's a different pressure they put on themselves and I just think it got the best of us."

Butler County was effective on both offense and defense, scoring early and maintaining control from the pitcher's circle. Avery Gleason for the Lady Bears pitched 7 innings, gave up 8 hits and struck out 8 while walking only 1, as she earned 2 runs. Their offense was able to generate 13 hits, 10 RBIs, and they hit .393 as a team that included 6 doubles, a triple, and a home run.

For the Lady Cats, Makayla Hogg went 2-3 with a triple, Addie Childress was 2-3, and Annie Kiper went 2-4 with a double. Callie Webb and Brooklynn Wilson each went 1-3.

Julie Norris pitched 6 innings for Edmonson County, giving up 8 earned runs on 13 hits. She walked 4 and struck out 2.

While taking home the runner-up trophy wasn't really the plan, it's still a move in the right direction for Edmonson County, who had seen nothing but losing records for the last 6 seasons until now. In Coach Massey's first interview with the Voice after she was hired, she said wanted to break the culture of losing.

"I think that we've busted through that," she said last night. "These kids finally have a taste for what it is like to win and that's contagious. I think these kids, the youth, the great senior leadership, they're going to continue the desire to win and that's how champions are born."

Multiple players were named to All District 12 Teams: Alyssa Doyle was named to the All Academic, Julie Norris and Callie Webb were named to the All Season, and Annie Kiper and Callie Webb were named to the All Tournament team.

The drawing for the Region 3 bracket will be held today. Games are scheduled from 10AM up to 5:30PM at Grayson County  on Saturday.

Edmonson Voice Sports:
The  ECHS Tennis Team competed in the 3rd region tournament this week in Owensboro. Seniors Kaylee Lindsey and Ethan Edwards both won their first singles match to advance in the region. Both EC players put up a fight and scored some great points in the Round of 16 before exiting the contest.

Freshman, Brayden Johnson, began the 2023 tennis season ranked number 2 in the region in boys singles. He held firm, only having one loss in the entire regular season region competition to Owen Brown of Grayson and landed the number 2 overall seed for region tournament play.

Brayden received a bye his first round. He defeated Muhlenberg’s Heath Embry (6-1, 6-1) in the round of 16. Brayden then defeated Maddox Powell of Grayson County (6-1, 6-1) in the quarterfinals. He also defeated Stetson Osborne, number 4 regional seed, of Apollo (6-0, 6-1) in the semi-finals. Brayden was defeated in the region final by Grayson senior, Owen Brown (2-6, 1-6). Brayden secured the runner-up in region and punched his ticket to the KHSAA State Tournament, to be held the end of May at Top Seed in Lexington. He was named to the All-Region Team.

Members of the team include girls Addison Browning (10th), Chaney Browning (11th), Sydney Hennion (11th), Sophia Kurochka (9th), Kaylee Lindsey (12th), MaKaylee Thompson (12th), Lily Jayne Vincent (12th), Emma White (12th), and the boys Ethan Edwards (12th), Trystan Hardin (9th), Brayden Johnson (9th), Timmy Johnson (12th), Wade Luttrell (12th), Grant Merideth (12th), Andrew Talley (12th), Ian White (12th), and Cameron Whitfill (12th).

“We had a full roster of 17 kids this year. I am so pleased to see how quickly our tennis program is growing. It has been a wonderful few months for me personally. I had the opportunity to work with and get to know some fabulous humans. Special shout out to our seniors for stepping outside their comfort zone and trying a new sport. I hope they take lessons learned on & off the court & apply them to situations in their lives. I will cherish the way the players treated me and each other," said Head Coach Jodi Johnson. Coach Johnson also spoke on the success of Brayden, who is also her son.

"I am incredibly proud of Brayden. This is his second year in a row earning a spot at state. His work ethic and love for tennis is unmatched. What an accomplishment to get runner-up in region as a freshman, and with only three years of tennis experience.”

Edmonson Voice Sports:
Four different Wildcats claimed All-District awards last night in Grayson County during the District 12 championship.

Ian White was named to the All-Academic Team, Andrew Talley and Hunter Wilson were both named to the All-District regular season team, and Alex Elkins was named to the All-Tournament team.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
Edmonson County sophomore Julie Norris got the job done in both the pitcher's circle and at the plate as the Lady Cats rallied to eliminate Grayson County in the first round of the District 12 Tournament, 6-5.

It was the largest crowd seen in years at James "Woody" Woodcock Field at ECHS, as the Lady Cats are hosting this year's tourney, and fans got their money's worth.

Tuesday rain forced the games to be pushed back late, with the Lady Cat first pitch around 8:30PM. Volunteers and team members worked tirelessly to remove water from the field from about 4PM until game time. The girls struggled early with errors that Coach Alex Jane Massey said were uncharacteristic and were likely brought on by the disruption of the normal pregame routines, wet conditions, and hazy lights that played havoc with outfielders.

Two of the season-high eight Edmonson errors allowed the Lady Cougars to strike first, leading 2-0 after the top of the first inning. Senior catcher Annie Kiper led off with a single for the Lady Cats in the bottom of the first, and after a strikeout, senior shortstop Callie Webb blasted a two-run shot over the wall in center field to tie the game at 2 apiece.

Two more Lady Cat errors would allow Grayson base runners and a Lady Cougar 3-2 lead. Edmonson County had a couple more opportunities to score in the next innings but wasn't able to execute until the 5th.

After Edmonson's Addie Childress walked to start the bottom of the 5th, Kiper singled again and Childress advanced to third on an error. Childress tied the game 3-3 on Makayla Hogg's groundout to first and then it was Webb again who roped a shot into the gap for a run-scoring triple and a 4-3 lead. Pitcher Julie Norris then followed with a two-run bomb to right-center for a Lady Cat 6-3 lead.

Grayson County reached on another error from the outfield and advanced to second with one out in the 6th. The Lady Cougars then hit liner to center field where Lady Cat Alyssa Doyle made the catch and then made a hard throw back to second to double up the runner who was off base, for the third out.

The Lady Cats went quietly in the bottom of the 6th and then more drama unfolded in the bottom of the 7th as the Lady Cougars took their last at-bat.

Grayson County led off with a single and a sac bunt moved the runner to second. After a pop out Grayson scored on a double to cut the lead to 6-4. Another error allowed the next batter to reach after a botched fly ball and Grayson cut the deficit again to 6-5. The next batter singled to center to put runners on first and second with two out. Norris then battled Grayson County's Ellie Bratcher in an 8-pitch at-bat for a foul pop up that was caught by Makayla Hogg right on the Lady Cat dugout fence to seal the win.

Coach Massey credited her team for the gutsy win.

"This is my third season with them and they want it so bad, but I think they came out here real tight," she said. "They wanted it so bad that it took them a minute to relax. Softball is a game where you can't play the event, like the district tournament, you have to play the ball every time and I think we were playing with the mindset of it being the district tournament. I think our nerves got us but we had kids to step up. I mean, Julie Norris, man...she pitched a heckuva game."

She said despite the mounting pressure in the top of the 7th, Norris was able to get the job done.

"She's a pretty calm and collected kid and I feel like she doesn't get too upset about much, you know, but she really showed out for her team tonight. She did exactly what we wanted her to do on the mound--to give us opportunities to make outs, and that's what she did. If our defense hadn't have been so nervous, I think it would have been a way different score."

Norris gave up 7 hits over 7 innings, walked none and struck out three. Only one of the 5 runs was earned. She also went 1-2 at the plate, a two-run homerun, with 2 RBIs and a walk.

Kiper was 3-3 and Webb was 2-3 with a homerun and a triple, with 2 RBIs. There were no other hits in the game but they were enough. Bratcher went 6 innings for Grayson County, giving up 6 earned runs on 6 hits, she walked 3 and struck out 6.

Edmonson County improves to 16-9 on the season and will advance to the District 12 Championship game for the first time since 2016. Grayson ends their season with a record of 7-26.

The championship game is scheduled for Thursday at 6PM at ECHS. The game will be livestreamed on the Edmonson Voice YouTube Channel.

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
The Wildcats fell to Whitesville-Trinity 5-3 last night at the District 12 Tournament, hosted by Grayson County.

Edmonson County was without a hit from the 4th inning on, as they went 0-12 in the final 4 innings.

The Raiders got on the scoreboard in the first inning and led 2-0 after a single, a couple of walks, and two hit batsmen.

Trinity scored again in the second after another walk and a double. Edmonson County answered in the bottom of the third after Hunter Wilson singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. He then advanced to third on Andrew Talley's lineout to right field and later stole home for the Wildcats' first run of the game. After stolen bases from Michael Mills, the Cats got another run and then back-to-back doubles from Alex Elkins and Lane Ashley tied the score at 3-3.

Unfortunately for Edmonson County, their offense would be stagnant from there as small ball got two more runs across for Trinity in the 5th and 6th innings.

Alex Elkins led the Cats in offense, going 2-3 with a double. Hunter Wilson pitched 5 innings, gave up 4 runs on 3 hits, walked 8 and struck out 9. Cam Lich pitched 2 innings of relief, giving up one run on one hit, walked 3 and struck out 2.

Andrew Talley, Lane Ashley, and Cam Lich all went 1-3 at the plate, with Ashley notching a double. Dakotah Curtis was 1-2 and Hunter Wilson was 1-4.

Edmonson County finishes their season with a record of 11-15.

Deadline to register for Edmonson County's girls youth summer program is this Friday, May 19th. Registration forms may be turned into either elementary school, the 5/6th center, or mailed to ECYVL.

For more information or to ask a question, you can refer to the ECYVL Facebook page.

Edmonson Voice Sports:
Edmonson County High School announced today that senior Whitney Davis has signed to run track at Lindsey Wilson College.

"Whitney came out for track her senior year and has excelled in sprinting and jumping events," said Coach Brad Meredith. She is one of our best student athletes.  We are very proud of her and we are excited for her to continue her academic and track career.  Whitney is just getting started in track. This was her first season and she has improved every single day.  They got a steal of an athlete.  She is going to have a great college career.”

She is the daughter of Erica and Myron Rice and the granddaughter of Scott and Lonna Cassaday.

The Lady Cats defense in the outfield and at first base caused some problems for the Lady Panthers in the fifth inning, who did not score again. Edmonson stepped up to the plate with big hits from junior Makayla Hogg, freshman Jolee Vincent, and a two-run homer from 8th grader Addie Childress - which secured the win for Edmonson. It was Childress' third of the season, and a two-run shot.

Cumberland County did not score again in the top of the seventh, resulting in a 5-2 Lady Cat win.

Wilson was 3-3 on the night with 1 RBI and Childress went 2-3 with 3 RBIs. Kiper, Hogg, Vincent, and Alyssa Doyle were all 1-3 on the evening.

Pitcher Julie Norris went 7 innings, giving up one earned run on 4 hits, walked none, and struck out two.

Four seniors were honored at the senior night game, Alyssa Doyle, Annier Kiper, Callie Webb, and team manager Karina Dennison.

Edmonson County is now 15-9 on the season. They are scheduled to play Monroe County at home tonight at 6PM; however, rain in the forecast could be a factor.

The Lady Cats are also scheduled to play Grayson County at home on Tuesday in the first round of the District 12 tournament, hosted at home in Edmonson County.

The Lady Cats finished the game with a 5-2 win over Cumberland County.

Madison Doyle, story and photos:
ECHS Senior Braxton Highbaugh signed to play collegiate basketball with Kishwaukee College today, May 3.

Athletic Director and Former ECHS Boys Basketball Head Coach Brad Johnson spoke today about Braxton's ability to play.

"I was contacted a couple of years ago by the Bowling Green coach and he said 'Hey we've got a kid over here from Brownsville who can really play.' We got him over here and he started taking fitness more seriously, and he totally transformed his athleticism, which was already great," Johnson said. "The best I can say about Braxton as far as basketball is concerned is that he is getting better at basketball everyday, his last few games he played for me were some of the best. I coached a young man 15 years ago who graduated high school and he went to play for Juco in Illinois, and he worked hard and ended up playing for Nebraska University in the Big 12. I would totally not be surprised if that ended up being Braxton."

Braxton spoke a little about his basketball journey today as well.

"I just want to say thank you for everybody who is here today, and everyone who has watched me through my journey. It started out at Keriakes park just playing around and I ended up here. Thank you so much to all my coaches who helped me get here, and of course all of my teammates for being so supportive of me."

Madison Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County High School Senior Raven Cast signed to play volleyball at the collegiate level today, May 3rd, with Lindsey Wilson.

Athletic Director Brad Johnson said that he and Principal Jonathan Williams had the chance to fill in as assistant coaches for a few games during Raven's junior season, and said she was "a solid athlete and teammate", and he said was "so proud" to see her make it this far.

Former ECHS Volleyball Coach Caitlin Caudill also spoke today.

"I am so proud of Raven," she said. "She was always a really great teammate and a dedicated athlete. Lindsey Wilson has a really great addition to their program on the way."

Raven gave thanks to those who came today to support her.

"It  means so much to me to see all of you here, I am so excited for this opportunity. I want to give a special thanks to Coach Caudill, who stepped into the role of being our coach when nobody else would, and also thank you so much Coach Barrett, for believing in me and always giving me more tips to get better."

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County High School announced today that Trey Tinsley has been hired as the Wildcats' newest head basketball coach.

Tinsley, who just turned 29 years old, is a PE teacher at South Edmonson Elementary and is starting his 8th year in coaching.

He served as an assistant for the Cats last season to Coach Brad Johnson, who recently retired from the head coaching position. Prior to that, he also served as a middle school, freshman, and JV coach for Grayson and Logan Counties, Glasgow, and started his coaching career as a freshman coach at Edmonson County under Mike McClintic.

"I've worked with a lot of great coaches over the last several years and working with Coach Johnson was awesome," he said. "Last season, he'd come up to me and say 'hey, what defense to we need to run here?' and him having the confidence in me to let me make those calls meant a lot. He's a great coach with regional championships and that's what I want to bring to Edmonson County."

Tinsley said he is a believer that defense wins games and it's going to be an important part of his plan.

"You can't always shoot well every night but you can always play defense."

He also said that winning the district championship last season was incredible but he wants to raise the bar.

"We always want to be competitive in our district and have a chance to win a championship, but we want to be able to compete with anyone in our region. We want to bring a region championship here. It may take some time to achieve that, but that's what we're working for."

Coach Tinsley said the departure of four starters from last year's team is obviously something to which the team will have to adjust, but they will be building around returning starter Will Alexander.

"He's a top player and we know we're going to rely on him, but who will the other guys be?" he said. "That's where we'll have some fun practices because we'll have guys battling for those spots. We'll take the top 7 or 8 and we'll go from there. If they're young guys, that's ok. If freshmen and sophomores are winning those battles, then that's who will play. We're going to have guys that play hard, that are respectable young men--on and off the court--and guys that want to compete. And we want to see that from our youth league all the way up."

ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams discussed the decision to hire Coach Tinsely, which he described as a "slam dunk."

"He comes from a basketball family and has built his own resume already as a coach, Williams said. "Trey has a tremendous ability to motivate, lead, and develop young people and I'm proud of that.  Trey is a good moral person that I think will lead our basketball program for a long time."

Tinsley said one of his goals was to stay at Edmonson County for the long haul. "For like, the next 20 years."

Principal Williams said that aside from a "catastrophe," he could see Coach Tinsley setting a school record for team wins. 

"That is my hope for all of our new coaches," Williams added. I can't wait to watch our new coach and our kids grow together.  Trey has been fortunate enough to not only play for some of the best coaches in this area, but to also assist them on the bench. He played two years of college basketball and brings an extremely positive approach to coaching.  I encourage our community and alumni to get behind him and our boys.  Fortunately, we have a good crop of talent at our school, with more on the way. It's an exciting time to follow Wildcat basketball."

Retiring Coach Brad Johnson introduced Tinsley to players in the basketball locker room today.

"I've left other places where another coach came in after me and I feel better about this one than any other I've ever had," said Coach Johnson. "I would not leave this job without having confidence in a guy like I have in this one, so make him proud, make us proud...Trust me--trust me--we got the right guy for this job," he said as the players applauded.

Coach Tinsley and his wife, Carsan, live in the Chalybeate community.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The future of Lady Cat Softball is bright, based on the performances of the younger players on Edmonson County's roster this season. 

The Lady Cats crushed district rival Butler County 12-0 last night at home, which was capped off by a grand slam from eighth grader Addie Childress. The blast put Edmonson ahead 12-0 in the bottom of the fifth, making it a run-ruled victory for the Lady Cats.

It's the second homer of the year for Childress, who has recently earned a starting spot in the outfield for Edmonson County. While her bat got the attention last night, her defense has also been solid throughout the season. She is one of five eighth graders on the varsity roster.

Brooklyn Wilson, a freshman outfielder for Edmonson County, has also gained attention this season. Last night she hit her first career home run, a three-run shot in the bottom of the second. The Lady Cats put two more on the board in the inning after Kaylee Ann Sanders ripped a triple to the gap, putting Edmonson County up 5-0.

Wilson is the fifth new member to what is known as the "Bomb Squad" for Edmonson County, which is the exclusive club reserved for those who have hit out-of-the park varsity home runs for the Lady Cats. This season alone, along with Childress and Wilson, senior catcher Annie Kiper, senior shortstop Callie Webb, and sophomore pitcher Julie Norris have all hit homers. Senior center fielder Alyssa Doyle hit her first career home run last season. Edmonson County hasn't seen six different long-ball hitters on the same roster in years.

Kylee Williams, an eighth grader, leads the Lady Cats in stolen bases (16), and has not yet been caught stealing this season. Used as a pinch runner, she's normally put in the game as a courtesy runner for pitcher Julie Norris, who has been a batting leader (.453) for the Lady Cats this season. Jolee Vincent, a freshman, is the starting second baseman and is currently hitting .346 on the season.

Six Lady Cats notched hits last night with three of them earning multi-base hits. Norris went 5 innings in the pitcher's circle, giving up only two hits, no runs, while striking out three. She walked only two batters.

It wasn't just hot bats and solid pitching from the Lady Cats last night. The girls made multiple impressive defensive plays, both infield and outfield. Kaylee Ann Sanders made a highlight throw from third after knocking down a hard hit ball to nail a runner at first, Callie Webb made two different rocket throws from short to get runners, and center fielder Alyssa Doyle made a diving catch to save a run. First baseman Makayla Hogg impressed at first base, stretching to make multiple plays all night. While all these plays turned heads, it's become more of the norm for Edmonson County this year. Every position player has made a "highlight reel" catch at some point this season, with several making more than one.

Butler County's Tinslea Belcher gave up 12 earned runs on 10 hits, striking out 6, walking 2, while hitting two batters.

Edmonson County improves to 12-7 on the season and moves to 4-1 in district play, tying Butler County for first place standings.

Edmonson Voice Sports:
The Edmonson County Parks and Rec youth baseball and softball youth leagues began this past Saturday at the HWY 70 ballparks for the 2023 season.

Program Director for Parks and Rec John Kiernan said it was great day with beautiful weather.

 "Everything went great and we all had a great time," he said. "We have 267 kids enrolled in our youth baseball and softball teams and we're looking for another great season."

Longtime umpire Dez Simcoe was honored by throwing out the first ceremonial pitch this year. Dez, an Air Force veteran as well as a veteran of umpiring youth sports for 38 years, has been a local favorite in Edmonson County, umpiring for 10 years, as well as helping start Edmonson County's youth soccer program.

Dez followed in his father's footsteps, Dez Simcoe III, who umpired youth sports for 50 years. The two had the opportunity to umpire games together at HWY 70 before the senior's passing this past January.

Fourth grader London Simon sang the National Anthem before games began and teams played throughout the day and evening.

"We've seen some very impactful improvements to our fields and facilities at the ball park at Highway 70," Kiernan added. "We've installed rock around the creek, we've built three new bridges around the fields, and we've upgraded the score booths as well as the installment of two new batting nets. We're looking forward to another great year for our kids."

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
Edmonson County High School head coach of boys' basketball Brad Johnson has officially announced his retirement at the end of this school year.

The official announcement came to school administration yesterday with team meetings taking place both yesterday and this morning.

"It really was a hard decision, but it was my decision," he said. "I didn't talk to anyone else about it, really. It was just something that I prayed about and knew it was time."

Johnson led the Wildcats to another district championship this past season, only the school's third for boys basketball in 30 years.

Coach Johnson has seen a very involved and influential career in not only coaching, but also teaching and administration. Over the course of his 31-year career, he has served as:

• 1992-99 Barren County High School: teacher and assistant boys basketball and football coach
• 1999-02 Edmonson County High School: teacher, head boys basketball coach
• 2002-03 LeGrande Elementary, teacher
• 2003-09 Ohio County High, teacher, head girls basketball coach, asst. boys basketball coach
• 2009-14 Grayson County High, teacher, head girls basketball coach
• 2014-15 Barren County High, assistant principal, head girls basketball coach
• 2015-19 Barren County High, principal
• 2019-20 Park City Elementary, interim principal
• 2020-23 Edmonson County High, teacher, assistant boys basketball coach
  

Johnson said he knows that sometimes when you hear that a coach wants to retire and spend more time with family, it's also conveniently coupled with the fact that a particular team has lost a roster full of seniors or other valuable players.

"It's something that people joke about or whatever, but that's certainly not the case here," he said. "I've never been that guy. Instead, I've always tried to be a guy that can pull the boot straps up and take on whatever challenge is coming next year, but in this case, I really want to spend time with my family and do some other things. The future of Edmonson County basketball is bright. There are a lot of really good players here all the way down to the fifth grade. I look forward to being a little less stressed and sitting in the stands and watching because I think good things are ahead."

Coach Johnson's coaching career literally came full circle as his first-ever head coaching job was at Edmonson County as the boys' basketball coach in 1999 through 2002. There, one of his first players is now principal of ECHS Jonathan Williams, who rehired Johnson as head coach in 2021.

"It really is full circle," Johnson said. "You talk about Ohio, Grayson, and Barren, and they all circle Edmonson County. To be able to work under a guy that played for me, Mr. Williams, to be able to work with him, for him to come to practice, it's just really special. To be able to reconnect to a lot of people here after coming back--I see a lot of kids walking the halls that look just like their parents and I remember when their parents were here. The three years I've been back here have been extremely rewarding."

Johnson returned to Edmonson County as an assistant under Mike McClintic in 2020 after retiring as principal in Barren County.

Principal Williams described the departure of Johnson as a "great loss" but he still had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.

"I’ve had the privilege to have the best mentor possible down the hall anytime I needed advice over the last three years and that’s been on a very regular basis," Williams said. "The goal is for each coach we hire to take our program wherever it is and continue building it, and coach Johnson has definitely done that.  It has been so special to me to have him here; Coach Johnson’s first head coaching job was here when we were juniors and to have had the opportunity to hire him and watch him reestablish a culture of winning has been a very full-circle experience.  I love him dearly and we will remain close friends forever.  I have the utmost respect for him and his professional resume speaks for itself."

Williams also agreed that the future of Edmonson County athletics was bright.

"We have an excellent returning starter next year and we have a very athletic group. I'm excited to see what this group will be able to accomplish."

Williams said ECHS will start the search immediately for the next head coach and a search and interview committee will be formed to assist him in vetting candidates. He said he hopes to name a replacement by May 5th.

Johnson said he will technically remain as coach for the remainder of the school year and he will continue his athletic director duties during that same period.

He said he plans to spend more time at Shady Hollow Golf Course in Cub Run, where he helps manage.

"I made a commitment to J.C. (Ramsey) at Shady Hollow the first time I retired and I plan to spend some time there, kind of managing and working there, but hopefully not all work. I'd like to hope I can play a little more now."

He said he will also have more time to help his mother, who lives about an hour away, as well as visit a granddaughter who is in Louisville.

Some of Johnson's achievements in coaching include:

• 337 wins, 152 losses (.689) as head coach
• 2015 NABC Court of Honor Inductee
• 3-time 3rd Region Coach of the Year
• 3-time Regional Champion
• 2-time KHSAA Elite 8
• 12 out of 12 District Championships when making finals

Coach Johnson had an open-door policy with the Edmonson Voice. He granted access by phone, text, email, and in-person whenever we needed it. We were always welcome in the gym, at practices, in the locker room, or his office. His intense and "all-business" personality was a reflection of the high expectations he had for not only players and students, but also for himself.

When asked about all the things he'd seen and done over the course of his career, he joked that he'd thought about writing a book.

"The most rewarding aspect of my career is the relationships," he said. "Seeing kids grow up, get married, and have kids...I just hope I pointed some of those people in a good direction. Every tough game situation or a hard spot on the court, I would tell kids, 'That's the way life is, man. You gotta pull up your boots and fight through it,' and so, it's a blessing to me when I've heard people say that they went through hardships but remembered what their old coach said. I've also had a lot of former players reach out to me and say some really nice things, so that makes you feel good."

Johnson will continue to live in Edmonson County with his wife and sons. He has three sons and two daughters.

"Even when I worked at three other places, I made Edmonson County my home and it's going to stay my home. It's where I go to church and it's a special place. I still can't get over how full our gym was during the district tournament and how happy everybody was. This is a special place and I have happiness all around. I'm just looking forward to being a husband, a dad, a granddad, and a son."

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Lady Cats disposed of the Lady Cougars with little trouble tonight at Grayson County as home runs paced the offense for Edmonson County in a 15-6 win.

Addie Childress, an eighth grader, hit her first career varsity homer in the top of the sixth, which was a three-run shot over the wall in the right gap that gave the Lady Cats a 12-4 lead. The home run was part of six-run inning for Edmonson County.

Sophomore Julie Norris hit her second home run in as many games in the next inning; it was a two-run homer just left of center field. It increased the Lady Cat to 15-6, which would be the final score of the game. She also hit a home run in a loss to Larue County this past Saturday with a ball that hit the top of the fence and went over.

Norris also pitched the seven-inning complete game, giving up three earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out two and walked two.

Every Lady Cat in the game recorded at least one base hit tonight. Makayla Hogg went 3-5 with 1 RBI, Callie Webb was 2-3 with 2 RBIs, and and Jolee Vincent was 2-3 with 4 RBIs. Childress and Norris were both 2-4 and each had 3 RBIs.

Edmonson County notched 15 hits against two Grayson County pitchers and all 15 runs were earned against the Lady Cougars. Grayson pitching combined for 5 walks, 4 wild pitches, and 5 batters hit-by-pitch.

The Lady Cats are now 6-4 on the season and are scheduled to take on Butler County on Thursday.

Edmonson Voice Sports:
Two sophomore members of the Edmonson County High School Bass Fishing team continue to show results for the Wildcats as they placed again in a recent tournament.

Jake Coy and Cooper Richardson, both sophomores at ECHS, are among the most consistent when it comes to reeling them in.

While the bass fishing team was first organized for the 2019-20 school year, there were no tournaments as a result of the COVID pandemic. The team brought home their first trophies in 2021, which is displayed in the case at ECHS.

Head Bass Fishing Coach Jeremy Hodges said the team has finished 21 tournaments since 2021 and that Coy and Richardson have placed at least third in 9 of those.

They were chosen as Anglers of the year for 2021 and 2022.  Richardson won "Big Fish of the Year" in 2021 and is on his way to win that for the team in 2023 with his recent catch of a 6.87lb large mouth. 

"In most of the tournaments, we fish against 100 or more student angler competitors from other high schools throughout the state, and to place 3rd or higher in almost half of the tournaments we’ve fished is quite an accomplishment," said Coach Hodges.