Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County junior Lady Cat basketball standout Cariann Williams signed a letter of intent today to play basketball for Campbellsville University upon her high school graduation in 2026.

A large crowd gathered today in the ECHS gym where former, present, and future coaches discussed the attributes from Williams as they wished her well. Several speakers were featured including ECHS Athletic Director Kyle Pierce, who spoke first.

"I believe you can see by the crowd just what type of person they're going to be getting at Campbellsville," he said. "She's well regarded here at high school."

Pierce described her as "one of the best people around."

Former Head Lady Cat Coach Bart Weaver spoke next. He discussed the first time he saw her play as a 7th grader and he knew she was already advanced as an athlete.

"Campbellsville is getting a great player, we know that. They're getting a great student. Coach Pierce just talked about her GPA (over 4.3), but also, you're getting a great person of faith," Weaver said. "Those three things right there mean the world in today's society."

He said when a coach finds a player with all three attributes, that coach has hit the lottery.

"To me, Campbellsville has hit the lottery."

Current Lady Cat Head Coach Jody Booth said you won't find a better person in the community than Cariann Williams.

"She's a leader in our community, for our high school kids, our middle school kids, somebody that they can look up to, and follow in her footsteps with academics, community involvement, and when it comes to sports, she takes care of that as well," Booth said.

He discussed some of her impressive stats, going back to her 7th grade year. She has already scored over 1,000 points, pulled over 1,000 rebounds, and has over 500 blocks, with one season as a Lady Cat yet to come. Booth said he expects her to be within the top three girls scorers in school history by the end of her career, and she is already the girls' leader in all-time rebounds.

Williams finished the 24-25 season as the leading scorer at 18ppg and the leading rebounder at 13.5rpg.

Lady Cat assistant coach Maddie Stewart said she first met Cariann when she was working at Campbellsville after graduating from there a couple years before.

"She had an incredible will to perfect her craft of basketball, it was something I figured out really, really quick," she said. "For her, words that come to mind are hard work, integrity, relentless, and winner."

Campbellsville Head Women's Basketball Coach Ginger High Colvin then spoke about signing Cariann.

"I think we're clear on what Cariann is," she said. "Anybody can walk in a gym, watch her on the floor, and realize she has every tool needed."

She said she saw early on in Williams' career that she worked hard to improve and she always showed a drive to play for the Lady Tigers.

Williams then addressed the crowd, humbly and emotionally, thanking multiple groups of people, including the Edmonson Voice, her teammates, teachers, former and current coaches, and her parents and siblings.

She thanked the Campbellsville coaching staff for making her feel wanted and welcomed during the entire recruiting process.

"Every time I've been on campus, I've felt welcomed, loved, and part of something special. The coaches treat the girls like their own, I've stayed there multiple times and every time I've felt at home. The girls feel like sisters and the coaches feel like family," she said.

Williams said after high school, her next goal will be an NAIA national championship as a Lady Tiger.

She is also a member of the ECHS track team. Multiple speakers today referenced her decision to sign as a junior, not a senior, as is typical. Williams wanted to make sure that the seniors from this season would be in attendance, which spoke of her admiration for her teammates, several coaches said.

She then signed her letter of intent with her parents by her side, followed by cheers from the audience. Dozens then lined up for a photo op with the new Lady Tiger signee.

Cariann is the daughter of Jonathan and Whitney Williams of Brownsville.

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photo:
Pitching a one-hitter in high school baseball is an extremely solid performance and worthy of recognition. Adding 18 strikeouts to that performance raises eyebrows. Then when noting that the pitcher was responsible for all 21 outs, it becomes even more impressive.

That's the type of night that ECHS junior Hunter Wilson had on the mound for the Wildcats on Tuesday, April 15th at home against their district rival, Butler County, where the Cats won 3-1.

Wilson pitched the 7-inning complete game on 107 pitches, 71 of which were strikes. He struck out 18 batters over the course of the game, fielded two bunts for assists to first base, then caught a line drive for the out, getting all 21 outs himself.

Wilson was also 2-2 at the plate.

Head Coach Michael Meredith said in being around the game of baseball as a fan and coach his entire life, he's never seen the type of performance from one single pitcher, despite the fact it wasn't a perfect game or no-hitter.

"He had 18 strikeouts, threw two bunted ball attempts out at first and caught a line drive up the middle.  I’ve never coached a game where one kid was responsible for 21 outs," Coach Meredith said. 

But he also noted that Wilson would be the first to credit first baseman Drew Pierce for his part in the outs, as well as catcher Logan Key for getting the job done behind the plate.

"I love this bunch of players," Meredith said. "They are having to grow up this year as we really only had two returning starters. We took some on the chin, but I am tickled we are 3-0 in district.  We just have to get better everyday and keep working hard and I believe good things can happen for us."

The Wildcats are 5-6 on the season and travel to Metcalfe County tonight.

Coach Doyle said he is hopeful that these new resources will change the trajectory of Edmonson County High School’s golf program, allowing them to build a more competitive team for the future.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Drive Fore The Future," Doyle said. "This donation gives our athletes the opportunity to reach their full potential and compete at a higher level, which will ultimately shape the future of our program.

Drive Fore The Future continues to partner with schools across the country, helping young athletes access the equipment and resources they need to succeed in the game of golf, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

For more information on how to support Drive Fore The Future or to donate, visit www.driveftf.org

​Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:

The Edmonson County Wildcats rallied three runs in the fifth inning to defeat the visiting Allen County-Scottsville Patriots 3-2 while hosting at the Bowling Green Ballpark Thursday, March 27th.

It was a pitcher’s duel from the start, as the sun set in Bowling Green. The infield was in shadow before the lights kicked on and the sun had completely set when in the 3rd inning ACS scored two runs.

​The Wildcats hung in there and in the 5th inning were able to manufacture three runs.
 
With Edmonson County sophomore Tyson Meredith on second base, sophomore Eil Meredith on first and junior Hunter Wilson at bat, Hunter was able to knock in both Tyson and Wilson with a double.
 
The next at bat was another double from Edmonson County junior Drew Pierce and the Wildcats were up 3-2.

​Edmonson County’s pitcher Tyson was able to see the game through to the end, completing all 7 innings. Tyson allowed 6 hits, 2 runs behind 2 errors with 6 bases on balls and 8 strikeouts.
 
He threw 109 pitches with 65 strikes, facing 32 batters.
 
Edmonson County defends their diamond at home 6 p.m. Monday March 31 against Warren Central.

Alyssa Doyle, story and photos:
The Edmonson County Wildcats defeated the Trinity Raiders 12-1 in five innings with a walk-off grand slam from junior Hunter Wilson on Monday, March 24th at Wildcat Field.

Wilson was also lights out on the mound as he struck out twelve batters, allowing only one hit and one run on the night.

Eli Meredith started the bottom of the first with a single to center field. Wilson walked and Drew Pierce followed with a single to left. Trinity walked in two runs, leaving the bases loaded for Chase Bullock to hit a grounder past the Raiders’ third baseman to knock in two more runs. Edmonson leads at the bottom of the first 4-0. 

The Cats added to their lead in the bottom of the second with two hits from Eli Meredith and Pierce, and a single from Wilson, scoring two runs. Garrett Lyons hit a sac fly to score Wilson. Edmonson ended the second inning with a 7-0 lead.

Edmonson picked up another run over the third and fourth innings and the Raiders walked two Wildcats and hit Bullock with a pitch, loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth. Wilson hit a grand slam to left field, scoring four runs for a total of six RBIs for the night and beating the Trinity Raiders 12-1 in the first district match up of the season.

Eli Meredith led Edmonson at the plate going 3-3 with Wilson and Pierce following close behind, each going 2-3.

Edmonson County is now 2-2 on the season and will take on the Raiders again Tuesday night at the Whitesville Community Park.

​Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
 The odds of playing college athletics may be long, but Edmonson County High School’s Julie Norris showed she is ready to make her dream, a dream many young women have, come true.
 
Norris signed a letter of commitment in the ECHS Gymnasium, in in front of family, friends, faculty and staff to play for Campbellsville University in Kentucky just after noon Friday, March 21st.
 
Campbellsville was busy playing a game, so the head coach was unable to attend, but the Coordinator of Athletic Recruitment at Campbellsville University was on hand to deliver paperwork and a jersey.
 
How cool is it they are picking up Norris?
 
“No, it’s awesome,” Coordinator of Athletic Recruitment at Campbellsville University Khalil Baker said before the signing. “I think we are honored to have Julie here. She’s extremely impressive, very professional, you can tell that she cares about anything she is involved in. She’s very passionate about it and she always wants to be the best version of herself, so I think it’s awesome and we are glad she is coming here.”

​In the school year 2022-23, there were 357,110 high school softball players, according to ScholarshipStats.com. Of those, 34,678 were able to make the next step into college ball. Only 2.7% played in Division 1.
 
In the same time period, the National College Athletic Association lists the odds of making it to college level play at an overall of 6.3 percent and just 2 percent are able to compete at the Division 1 level, according to NCAA.org.
 
Campbellsville is a Division 2 NCAA school, still putting Norris in the top 6-7 percent of all high school athletes in the nation for softball.
 
Why Campbellsville?
 
Norris’s head coach, former teammates, former and current coaches all have some connection to the school.  
 
With all those people dear to her heart, it was an easier decision to make, Brent Norris, Julie’s dad said.
 
Norris has taken hitting lessons since she was around 10 years old from a program run by Campbellsville coaches called BSA Softball, Brent said.

​Edmonson County High School athletic director Kyle Pierce commended both Norris and her family at their year-round level of commitment to sports for Julie, he said.
 
“I really want to commend you for what you’ve done for Edmonson County High School,” Pierce said. 
 
Norris is also a triple-threat, explained Pierce about Norris earning varsity letters in three sports a year, which included softball, basketball, and volleyball.
 
“There’s never been a challenge that I can say that Julie has backed down from,” Massey said. “She always accepts challenge. I think she craves challenge, slightly. She wants to overcome whatever it is that’s put forth in front of her.” 
 
Massey is proud to see Norris’s dream to playing at the college level “come to fruition,” she said.
 
Norris’ dream began when she began playing softball in eighth grade, she said.
 
“I am so excited,” Norris said after the signing. “I love the idea of just playing at a high level and stuff like that and having all these girls who are dedicated, like obviously the high school is dedicated, but they’ve gone above and beyond.”
 
With the saying around, once a Lady Cat, always a Lady Cat, sure doesn’t make the stretch that hard to know Norris will be a Lady Tiger next year too. Still a Lady Cat.
 
Edmonson Lady Cats take to the diamond on the road against Breckinridge County at 5:30 p.m. March 21 in Harned. 
 
 

Edmonson Voice Sports:
The ECHS Tennis team returns to action this week as they travel to Meade County on Tuesday for their season opener. 

The team has three returning players:  junior, Trystan Hardin, senior captain Addison Browning, & junior captain & defending 3rd region singles champion, Brayden Johnson.  The 2025 team consists of 16 players, ranging from 7th-12th grade. 

"We have a hard-working, cohesive group of kids," said Coach Jodi Johnson. "The majority of players are beginners with a determined desire to get better. I am excited to see them experience success. It is our goal as a program to increase our overall wins by the end of the season & for Brayden to win back to back region titles. I sincerely appreciate the loyal support from our community & school system." 

​Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
Endings are difficult. Tournaments are no cakewalk either.
 
Edmonson County Lady Cats knew heading into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association 3rd Region Tournament against Daviess County Panthers at the Owensboro Sports Center Tuesday March 4 in Owensboro, it would be a test of everything they had learned and achieved over the past two seasons.
 
The Lady Cats were 4-8 since 2010 against the Lady Panthers, according to stats curated by Edmonson Voice Live Jamie Carnes.
 
This season they were 48th in defense, 3rd in free throw percentage and 5th in 3-point percentage in the state.
 
The Lady Cats this year were 39th in defense, 39th in rebounds and 12th in free throw percentage.
 
“Regional Tournament is a different animal,” Edmonson County Lady Cats head coach Jody Booth said after the game on the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show. “And our girls found that out tonight but I don’t want to take anything away from them and I told them coming out, there is no reason to hang their heads.”
 
Booth pointed out the stat brought to light last week where Edmonson County has not won a Regional Tournament game at least since 1997-98.
 
“There’s a reason for that,” he said.
 
Daviess is a really good team, and he would put them in the finals against Owensboro Catholic, Booth said.

​“It’s very physical,” Booth said. “It’s not anything that you are used to during the regular season.”
 
Fouls did not seem to be called as abundantly as they might during the regular season, but it was not called evenly, which is a distinction from the regular season.
 
“We had chances, I feel like,” Booth said. “I feel like we had some good looks and we just couldn’t knock it down.”
 
He feels the physicality of the game pushed his players out to the 3-point line more and away from the paint, he said.
 
It has been noted by Booth and the Voice Live, they need to win in the paint to be successful.
 
In the last meeting against Daviess, January 28th, at the beginning of the season, despite winning by 2 points, they felt they lost the battle in the paint, Edmonson Voice Darren Doyle explained.
 
They talked about not settling for 3’s, touching the paint and going inside more, Booth said. 
 
“But I don’t care who you are, it’s easy to talk about it, but when you’re out there doing it, it’s just a very tough game to play in,” Booth said.
 
There is nothing for them to drop their heads about, he said.
 
Except maybe one thing.
 
The only thing Booth will drop his head over is thinking about not having the same group back again next year he said. After having taken over and being with the team now for two years, for the first time he knows next year will look different.
 
“We started 0-5 and I am just proud of where this group came, and getting to cut nets down last week and stuff,” Booth said. “It’s a success.”

​The Lady Cats ended the season with a respectable 19-9 overall win-loss, with 12-3 in the 3rd Region and 7-1 in the 12th District, according to Kentucky High School Athletic Association. They also claimed their 5th District 12 title in the last eight seasons.
 
“It’s the growth and maturity of this group,” Booth said last week after winning the district championship.
 
“These are great examples for younger players to follow and say ‘you know what, I want to be like her,” Doyle said to Booth on the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show. “I want to be like Jenna. I want to be like Kennadi.”
 
Doyle feels their leadership is a testament to the coaching staff as well, he said.
 
Yes, everyone always would rather a win than a loss, but the memories of earning a District Championship and making it to the KHSAA Regional Tournament will be memories the players will have for the rest of their lives. It is a positive experience, despite the loss.
 
Some teams, sometimes, when the going gets tough will turn on each other.
 
The Lady Cats did not.
 
Not once did anyone speak negatively from the team during the game, Booth said. They were always positive and encouraging of each other. 
 
Booth didn’t think this would be his last night coaching this team, he said.
 
“But that’s part of life,” Booth said.
 
Booth feels all four of his graduating seniors will go on to do great things and have bright futures, he said. Even better than basketball.
 
“So may great things to remember,” Booth said. “So many great things to come.”
 
He is excited for kids coming back and feels they are a great group, he said. Especially because they now see how tough the Tournament is and he feels it will be motivation for them to get back, Booth said.
 
The future?
 
They are going to get better and better and continue to move on, Booth said.
 
He also looks forward to his graduates coming back and sharing their adult positive experiences helping their community, he said.
 
When the final buzzer sounded the score was 29-48 in favor of Daviess.
 
Some unofficial stats for the Lady Cats on the night saw junior power forward Cariann William with her stock double-double, scoring 10 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Sophomore point guard Shelby Sowders scored 10 with 5 boards. Senior shooting guards Jenna Cook and Kennadi Swihart both scored 3 points and Cook hauled in 6 boards and Swihart 1 rebound. Senior power forward Julie Norris also scored 3 points and had 1 rebound, according to stats curated by Doyle.
 
The Lady Cats did win the rebound battle with 24 versus the Lady Panthers’ 21. 
 
For some, the next season might seem like next year. For the Lady Cats, Booth is ready to start planning as he formulates this year’s exit speech. 
 
Any way the future is viewed, it seems bright for the Edmonson County Lady Cats.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
​There might be something in the water in Edmonson County. Maybe it’s the cheese sticks with magical properties at the KHSAA 12th District Championship 2025 host Trinity High School Thursday, February 27th in Whitesville.
 
“It’s the growth and maturity of this group,” Edmonson County Lady Cats head coach Jody Booth said after winning the 12th District Championship.
 
Indeed.
 
The odds showed the Lady Cats at a numerical disadvantage against their rival opponent Grayson County Lady Cougars.
 
Since 1998 the Lady Cats were 22-45 against their neighbor Lady Cougars. 
 
This season, the Lady Cats lost their first game against the Lady Cougars on December 13, 2024, by a score of 41-48. When they met for the second time this season January 24, 2025, the Lady Cats were victorious by a commanding 52-36.
 
The Lady Cougars have won more District Championships than any Lady Cat parent would like to admit, Edmonson Voice broadcaster Jamie Carnes said.
 
Adding to the comfortable-in-big-games-mindset adversity the Lady Cats faced against the Lady Cougars, the Cougars also carry a scorer who is 40th in the state, and the team is 17th in free throw percentage at 70 percent per game as well as 43rd in 3-pointers, according to stats curated by Carnes.
 
The Lady Cats have their own ranked in the top of Kentucky too.
 
The No. 39 in the State in shooting happens to also be No. 4 in rebounding from Edmonson County Lady Cats junior power forward Cariann Williams at 14 per game.
 
The Lady Cats are also 33rd in defense with 42.6 points allowed per game, No. 6 in rebounding in the State hauling in 43.2 rebounds per game and 12th in free throw percentage at 72 percent, according to stats curated by Carnes.

 
“Just us,” Booth said, quoting and summarizing Phil Jackson who won 11 NBA titles. “You can’t worry about other teams, you can’t worry about other fans, you just gotta go play basketball. And when you have a talented group like we do that play well together, when you just focus on ‘just us’ it’s some pretty basketball.”
 
Pretty it was. 
 
It was tough too.

​“We told the girls, District Championship, it’s always gonna be tough,” Booth said after the game. “So, it’s just us.”
 
“There were times where we were really challenged tonight,” Booth said. 

By the end of the first quarter the Lady Cats trailed the Lady Cougars 10-11.
 
But then things seemed to settle a bit more with Edmonson County and all those deep breaths they were taking before game.
 
The Lady Cats would end the first half outscoring the Lady Cougars 14-7 and at halftime the score was 24 to 18 in favor of the scoreboard home team.
 
Some other stats at the half saw both teams with 8 rebounds each, according to stats curated by WildcastLive Darren Doyle on the Edmonson Voice Live Half Time Show. The Lady Cats were shooting 8 for 20 from the field and 5-8 from the free throw line. They also had 6 turnovers versus Grayson County’s 8 team turnovers.
 
Each starter stepped up and played some of their best basketball yet this season.
 
If Williams was the fantasy starter for rebounds, she did not have her usual numbers by the end and she fouled out with 2:55 left in the fourth quarter.  
 
Williams would make her mark on the game and would end her night with an impressive 21 points and 6 rebounds, plus a handful of blocked shots. Six rebounds is excellent, but Williams seems to push herself up to 11 and plays better than excellent.
 
As well, it is not often she gets to play against young women her height, and despite having less mass than her tall Lady Cougar opponent, she won the battle of the inside for the evening.
 
It was 47-39 in favor of the Lady Cats with 2:55 left and senior power forward Maggie Cassady would come off the bench to offer some assistance.
 
“Playing without Cariann, it’s not the first time we’ve done it, but it definitely makes it harder,” Edmonson County senior power forward Julie Norris said. “Cause you always know she’s gonna be there for you if you mess up on something, so it’s definitely hard playing without her.”
 
But Edmonson County showed they could still play without their star forward. 
 
Booth reminded his players about being without her on the floor against Daviess County, “for the longest time.”
 
“So, go finish the job,” Booth told his players.
 
He trusts the kids, he said.
 
“I know they are gonna play smart knowing they have those two or three fouls,” Booth said on the Post Game Show. “It’s great to watch that you can trust those kids.”
 
Play smartly they did. 
 
One of the smallest people on the court, in terms of physics, might be senior shooting guard Jenna Cook. She plays as though physics do not concern her because her speed, timing, toughness and tenacity saw Cook grab the most rebounds for the Lady Cats on the evening with 8. She also scored 5 points and had a handful of steals.
 
Edmonson County Lady Cats sophomore point guard Shelby Sowders scored 15 with 5 boards while keeping the ball safe, moving it up the court and out of trouble most of the night. 
 
One new skill Sowders has recently exhibited is a reverse layup and at first, she had done them successfully going left. Against Grayson she showed either direction is a score.
 
Fellow Lady Cat starter and physics denier, senior shooting guard Kennadi Swihart is the balance and other half to Cook’s speed, timing, toughness and tenacity. Knee-brace-equipped Swihart fearlessly swarms her back court opponents attempting to move the ball and makes teams pay when they leave her unguarded. 
 
Swihart scored 10 points, 7 from the free throw line going 7 for 8, and had 1 rebound.
 
Only starters scored points for the Lady Cats on the evening including Norris with 4 points and 3 rebounds. Norris scored a key shot from the corner to set the Lady Cats in motion to swing momentum their way.
 
“Oh it’s so awesome,” Edmonson County senior Julie Norris said after the game. “I mean this is what we have been working for all season, right? And the past couple seasons and last year was kinda sad cause we thought we were gonna go farther, but this year we did it. This is it.”

​When the last buzzer sounded the score was 55-45 in favor of the Edmonson County Lady Cats with their fifth district title in the last eight seasons.

Since the 1997-98 season, the Lady Cats have won only one Regional Game, said Booth who is a self-proclaimed “stat nerd” with a spread sheet of information.
 
“Every player that played, made some really big plays,” Booth said. 

Booth credits their determination with their strength and conditioning starting back before the season, he said. 
 
“Last year there might have been times where we would freak out, but this year, even turnover-wise and basketball-wise we’re a much better team,” he said.
 
“That is the best reward as a coach,” Booth said on the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show while watching his players cut pieces of the net down.
 
Booth does not want to be a team that is just okay, he said. 
 
Okay with winning or losing, it was a good run?
 
No, Booth said. Not at all.
 
“I don’t want to be okay with just a first-round exit,” Booth said on the Post Game Show. 
 
“I feel like this team can give challenges to whoever we draw in a Regional Tournament,” Booth said on the Post Game Show. 
 
They will for sure.
 
The games will be drawn Saturday, March 1st and announced. The Lady Cats expect to play Monday or Tuesday night for Round 1 in the KHSAA Region 3 Tournament.
 
They will be played at the Sportscenter in Owensboro. 

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
​No one expected the Edmonson County Wildcats to be only down by 2 points against the Butler County Bears at half time in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association 12th District Tournament round one on Thursday, February 26th at host Trinity High School in Whitesville.

No one except maybe the Wildcats. Their shirts say their faith is greater than other’s doubt.

The Wildcats knew one thing for sure. It was going to be a fight. Not in a dirty way, or like going to a fight where a hockey game breaks out, but a fight to stay playing basketball this season, for both teams.

Both times these teams met earlier in the season Butler County was victorious. The Bears crushed the Wildcats in their first meeting January 17th by a score of 93-64. The second meeting was around two weeks ago, and the Bears did win 88-68, but something happened in the second half of that game.

Edmonson County won the second half of the game, in homer terms. From a number’s perspective, the Wildcats outscored the Bears in that second half but just couldn’t overcome the damage that was done earlier in the game.

This Wildcats squad didn’t have a handful of returning starters this year. They saw kids leave to go play in places like Barren County. They got a new coach, after breaking some emergency glass. Folks seemed to feel like how folks felt about football, until recently, apprehensive.

They did not believe. Maybe the kids didn’t either, at first.

​Since then, and with the end of the season, the Wildcats have proven the power of believing in the team.
 
“Nobody believed in us, you know from the start,” Edmonson County Wildcats head coach Brad Meredith said after the game. “Nobody believed in us. I have had multiple people tell me if we won five games it would be a great year cause we had one kid returning back that had any kind of varsity minutes. With that loss, puts us at 14-11, so a winning record. I’m more proud of that because it shows how much our guys bought in and fought for each other all year.”
 
“That is what I am most proud of, my favorite part,” Meredith said was his favorite thing about the season.
 
It was not the end they wanted, from a reluctant beginning wanted even less, they grew beyond all expectations, including hopefully theirs too.
 
It was all on the line in Whitesville, win and play on, in both the District final and Regionals, or lose and go home.
 
At halftime, the Wildcats were shooting 52 percent from the field, 5 for 6 from the free throw line and matched the Bears in rebounds at 13, according to stats curated by Edmonson Voice Darren Doyle on the Edmonson Live Halftime Show.
 
When the Wildcats came out in the third quarter, they were not as sharp as they were 10 minutes previous and the Bears made them pay. 
 
Unlike the two previous meetings, though, the Wildcats were not done and battled back from a 12 point and 10-point deficit, but ultimately could not overtake the Bears again.

“I love our boys’ fight tonight,” Meredith said on the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show. “You know, we had a belief in us that we could play with ‘em.”
 
“I’m very proud of them,” he said. “Very proud.”
 
When the final buzzer sounded the score was 78-68, Bears over the Wildcats.
 
“I’m sad that its over but we fought as hard as we could,” Edmonson County senior power forward Braxtin Lindsey said after the game. “There’s a few things that we could’ve done different, that probably would have won us that game.”
 
“That’s how coach has been preaching for us to play all season,” Lindsey said. “It’s takin’ a while for it to finally click.”
 
There may have been things out of their smooth control this evening. A detriment of 26 trips to the free throw line for the Bears, versus nine trips for the Wildcats.
 
Only three shooting fouls called in the second half on the Bears?
 
Some other unofficial stats saw the Wildcats just edge out the Bears in rebounds 28-27, according to Doyle on the Edmonson Live broadcast.
 
Edmonson County junior shooting forward Owen Ruth lead the Wildcats in scoring with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Junior shooting guard Tyler Wilson had 16 with 7 boards, sophomore point guard Braden Wright had 10 with 4, senior shooting guard Kollin Doyle shot down 10 with 3 boards, senior shooting guard Ben Sanders had 4 with 2, junior shooting guard Blayne Deweese had 4 with 3, and Lindsey had 2 points and a rebound.
 
Whatever the score is, win or lose, some of the young men will move on to new things and some will return to perpetuate what they have learned but the team will always be in their hearts wherever they are.
 
Edmonson County Lady Cats face off against Grayson County in the KHSAA 12th District Women’s Basketball Tournament Final tomorrow(today) at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity High School in Whitesville.

Photos by Joseph Barkoff.

Darren Doyle, story: Joseph Barkoff, photo:

The Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches (KABC) has named Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Jody Booth as the Third Region Girls' Coach of the Year.

Booth is in his second season as head coach for the Lady Cats. Booth has compiled a record that currently sits at 39-16 (.710). The team went 21-8 last season with a current record of 18-8. 

Despite an impressive record, the Lady Cats were defeated in the first round of last year's district tournament. The team has faced tougher opponents this season, something Booth said he wanted in order to better challenge his team, especially in post season play. 

The decision has resulted in dividends for the Lady Cats, who are currently on a 13-game winning streak.

"It is a total group effort," Booth told the Edmonson Voice. "That doesn't happen without total buy-in from my support system at home, our players, coaches, parents, administration, etc.. "It's an honor to be recognized but I'd give that up quick just so these girls can enjoy more success these next few weeks."

The Lady Cats have played for the District 12 Title 6 times in the last 8 seasons. They have claimed the championship 4 out of 8 times, with three of those in a row and the last win coming in 2023 under Head Coach Bart Weaver.

The Lady Cats defeated the Trinity Lady Raiders convincingly on Monday night in this year's first round of the District 12 Tournament, 64-24. They will take on Grayson County Thursday night in Whitesville for the championship title. 

Edmonson County's boys will face Butler County in the first round of their district tournament tonight at 6:20PM

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
​Edmonson County Lady Cat basketball was on a 12-game win streak heading into Monday night’s 12th District Tournament game one against Trinity of Whitesville, in Whitesville February 24th. They, along with most of Kentucky’s other schools, canceled all of last week’s games due to weather, meaning they hadn’t played an opponent for a week.
 
Would they be stiff, rusty and sloppy? 
 
Would a traditionally tough and physical team in their opponent make the battle even more difficult?
 
Would the Lady Cats be able to hold off a young and hungry Lady Raiders on a larger stage? Would the Lady Cats’ previous offer any insight into how the game might play out?
 
No. No. Yes and no.

​The Lady Cats came out crisp, making mostly good clean passes even when pressured throughout the game.
 
Edmonson County Sophomore point guard Shelby Sowders was able to create open lanes for her teammates all evening with her speed and greatly improved ball handling and protection, even dishing some no-look passes that might make Magic Johnson smile.
 
Passing from all three guards, Sowders and Edmonson senior shooting guards, Kennadi Swihart and Jenna Cook kept the ball moving up court all night long. 
 
When the ball was in the Lady Raiders possession, the Lady Cats guards were like swarms of angry bees, stealing and tipping the ball away from the Lady Raiders in transition from tip off to buzzer.
 
Edmonson County junior power forward Cariann Williams was able to make some great swats on defense, denying the Lady Raiders points. 
 
While Williams did not have one of her signature double-double nights, with what she did have in her teammates stepping up, she did not need too. Again, to be clear, Williams did not have an off night, she had a team who had a great night alongside her.
 
By half time, the score was 40-13 in favor of Edmonson County.
 
Some unofficial stats at the half saw Edmonson County shooting above 50 percent with 15 for 27 from the field. They were out-rebounding the Lady Raiders 18-13 and had a “manageable” six turnovers versus the Lady Raiders’ 10, according to stats curator Darren Doyle on the Edmonson Live Half Time Show.
 
The best version of the replay can be found here.
 
Would the Lady Cats come out of the locker room after half time ahead by 27 and lose focus?
 
Not at all.
 
“We wanna go in the locker room with a high head if were up, even if we are down, we still wanna go in with a high head,” Swihart said after the game. “Our biggest problem for the past two years has always been the beginning of the third quarter and Booth has always told us, ‘Come out and punch it.’ IF we punch it, then basically the rest of the game is just cake, as long as we not tied neck and neck.”

When it was all said and done, the Lady Cats made a statement with a 40 point win over Trinity Lady Raiders, defeating them 64-24.
 
Their statement? They have more basketball to play.
 
“I am proud of the way we come out and we got this first game over with,” Edmonson County head coach Jody Booth said. “So, that’s a huge weight off the shoulders knowin’ that you still got more basketball to play.”
 
“We just come out for four quarters and look like a team that was ready to play in this type of a tournament and the good thing is we got more basketball to play,” Booth said. 
 
They get to play Thursday night in the Championship game and then at the “Sportscenter,” in Owensboro for the Regional Tournament, he added.
 
“We know what we are capable of, but we know its gonna get harder and harder,” Booth said.
 
Not having played for a week was a factor in the back of the team’s mind Booth said. They were a little disappointed they were unable to play against Ohio County the previous Friday and while they expected to win, they did not anticipate winning by 40 points.
 
They are a good young team, and expects them to be great team in a couple years, but its not their time, he said.
 
“It’s our time,” Booth said.
 
“We come out with a really good start and we put that foot on the gas and we kept goin’ and goin’ and goin’,” Booth said after the game on the Edmonson Live Post Game Show. “That’s what ya gotta do.”
 
The goal is a District Championship on Thursday, Booth said. 
 
Booth appreciated the large crowd cheering, especially on a Monday night game one, he said. 
 
He hopes even more folks make it to the final game he added.
 
Now, with 13 wins in a row, the best since 1997-98, Booth said, they look forward to the 12th District Championship Game on Thurs. when the face off against rival Grayson County at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in Whitesville, where they hope for a fourteenth victory before heading into the Regional Tournament. They are 1-1 against the Lady Cougars, with the loss being the only district one for the Lady Cats this season.
 
Some stats from the evening included Sowders with a double-double, scoring 20 with 10 boards, according to Doyle in the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show. Williams earned 13 with 8, Swihart had 14 with 1 board and four 3-pointers all in the first half. Cook scored 4 with 6 boards and huge handful of steals. Edmonson County senior power forwards Julie Norris shot down 8 points with 2 boards and Maggie Cassady had 3 points and a rebound.
 
Edmonson County shot 59 percent from the field, out-rebounded Trinity 30-20 and only had 10 turnovers compared to 16, according to Doyle.
 
One thing the Voice has learned covering sports in Edmonson County, Edmonson County coaches have a “process.” It involves not thinking too far ahead and focusing on the next current game, not the one past it. That process has served them all well from football to basketball and fans shouldn’t expect it to change much.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff.

​It was a little like a dam failing, the way the Edmonson County Lady Cats faced off against Butler County  on Friday, February 14th in Morgantown for a makeup game between the two district rivals.
 
Dams are generally pretty solid, and so is Butler County, but Edmonson County flowed like water, and once the Lady Cats made their first puncture with a layup off a steal by senior shooting guard Jenna Cook just over a minute into the first quarter, like properties of water, the Lady Cats never let up.
 
Butler County is always going to be a physical game. Boys, girls, doesn’t matter. They are neighbors, and as such, no matter the sport, playing against Butler County is like playing against family.

​Edmonson County just flowed. 
 
Flowed into full court press. 
 
Flowed into at least one steal for every starter by half time.
 
Flowed into Edmonson County Lady Cat sophomore point guard Shelby Sowders shooting down 16 with 5 boards after 16 minutes of play.
 
It was 26-14 in favor of the Lady Cats at the halfway point. 
 
Water always wins.
 
Edmonson County flooded Butler County 67-45 when the last buzzer sounded.
 
“It’s a Butler-Edmonson game,” Edmonson County Lady Cats head coach Jodi Booth said after the game on the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show. “It’s always gonna be physical. It’s always tough to play here.”

​Booth was proud of his bench players and their abilities to go from bench to the floor, and back a couple times, he said.
 
Those were huge minutes and seconds they took over for the four starters in foul trouble, Booth said.
 
Cook, Sowders, junior power forward Cariann Williams and senior Kennadi Swihart all earned four fouls each by the third quarter.
 
Swihart was the leading scorer on the night with 20 points, Sowders shot down 18, Williams scored 17 and was 9 for 9 from the free throw line, according to unofficial stats curated by Granville Meredith on the WildcatsLive broadcast.

It was the final regular season District 12 game of the season, which puts Edmonson and Grayson in a tie for the top seed, each with a record of 5-1. The seeding will now be determined by each team's RPI, or "Ratings Percentage Index," according to KHSAA. It is a number that supposedly rates the strength of each team's schedule.
 
Don’t sit down too long, the Lady Cats take to the court again today at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15th against visiting Caverna at the Edmonson County 5/6 Center for the annual Edmonson County Throwback Game. The Wildcats will take on the Owensboro Knights home school team after.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
Edmonson County Wildcat basketball knew the makeup game against the district rival Butler County Bears, on the road in Morgantown, was going to be a tough and demanding game Thursday, February 13th. 
 
Despite the weight of averages, the Wildcats do not have an overall winning record against the Bears and being down 25 points at the halfway mark in the night’s game, they did not ever lower their heads and surrender during play.
 
Yes, the Wildcats lost by 20, 88-68 when the last buzzer sounded, which included the bleacher-indoor-gas-powered-leaf blower choking everyone out, because who needs a broom, right?

 
“I thought we were a little timid in the first half,” Edmonson County head coach Brad Meredith said on the Edmonson Voice Post Game Show.
 
He doesn’t want his team to play like that, he wants them to attack, he said.
 
He feels they won the second half, even outscoring the Bears by five points. 
 
The Bears were on fire, and the Wildcats were cold as, well outside right now, shooting barely over 20 percent in the first quarter. 

​By the end though, the Wildcats showed they can compete with the Bears, Meredith said.
 
At the end of the night, some unofficial stats curated by Edmonson Voice Live Darren Doyle saw the ‘Cats shooting 56 percent from the field, which is a huge turnaround from the first quarter.
 
Some other game stats included Edmonson County junior shooting guards Tyler Wilson and Blayne Deweese both had 16 points and 9 and 5 rebounds each respectively. Sophomore point guard Braden Wright scored 12 with 8 boards and senior power forward Braxtin Lindsey shot down 10 with 4 boards.
 
Edmonson County takes to the hardwood again when Owensboro Knights Christian visits the Edmonson County 5/6 Center for throwback days Saturday Feb. 15 at 4:30 p.m. in Brownsville.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
There were no magically enhanced cheese sticks consumed before Edmonson County Wildcats took to the hardwood against the visiting Trinity Raiders on Homecoming, Friday, January 31st in Brownsville.

The Wildcats defeated the Cougars just 11 days ago and have a 41-12 record since 1998, according to records curated by Edmonson Voice Live broadcaster Jamie Carnes.

Despite no cheese sticks, the Wildcats were shooting 48 percent at the halfway point, outrebounding the Raiders 19-11, according to Edmonson Voice Live Darren Doyle’s curation of game stats.

Wildcats were sitting on a 14-point lead in the locker room, ahead 41-27 at halftime, no snacks needed.

By the end of four quarters, the Wildcats crushed the Raiders, almost doubling them 78-42. The game can be viewed again in its entirety here.

​Edmonson County Wildcat head coach Brad Meredith thought the team had some missteps with their fundamentals in the first half, but really cleaned it up in the second, he said on the Edmonson Voice Live Postgame Show.

“That’s the way we want to play,” Meredith said about the team’s effort in the third quarter.

Wildcats had 10 players with scores on the evening.

“I told the boys, they play like that, they can play with anybody,” Meredith said.

​Some endgame stats included junior shooting forward Owen “Baby Ruth” Ruth with 20 points and 7 rebounds, senior shooting guard Ben “the Sandman” Sanders with 14 points and 3 rebounds, junior shooting guard Tyler Wilson had 12 with 6, sophomore point guard Braden Wright had 9 points with 5 boards, and junior shooting guard Blayne Deweese had 8 points, 2 rebounds and fouled out.

When the last buzzer sounded the Wildcats shot 46 percent from the field on the evening, according to Doyle on the Edmonson Live Postgame Show.

Edmonson County welcomes Clinton County 7:30 p.m. Tuesday February 4th in Brownsville. Clinton will provide a challenge for Edmonson, sitting at first place in Region 4 and having only lost one game so far this season.

Photos by Joseph Barkoff: