​This edition of the show features Edmonson County's own "Larry Legend," Larry Starnes.  Larry is a witness to many years of Edmonson County sports, and served as a manager, teacher, and athletic trainer before his eventual retirement.  We talk to him about a little bit of everything related to his time with Edmonson County Schools.

Darren Doyle, story: photos by Rick Walters and Kristin McGrew
One local man and his family reminisced together at the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame recently.

Mark Hennion, who was a sophomore starter on the Edmonson County Wildcat 1976 state basketball championship team, heard about the facility and the current exhibit that features the '76 team. His photo is featured on one of the displays and shows Hennion cutting down a portion of the net on championship night, which was March 27, 1976. 

Hennion said the visit brought back plenty of good memories from that magical season 45 years ago.

"We proved that a little school could play ball with the bigger schools," he said. "We didn't really know how big of a deal it was when we won it; I know I didn't. Every time we went out there we wanted to win that game. And when we won that one, we'd want to win the next one. Looking back on it, boy it really was something."

Hennion scored 25 points in the championship game in a 74-52 win over Christian County. While he was the leading scorer for the Wildcats over the course of the Sweet Sixteen tournament, putting up 69 total points and averaging 17.3 ppg during that span, he said that playing together as a team is what brought them success.

"Once I had a radio guy asking me all these questions about me scoring this on that game, and that on another, and I just told him 'Look, this wasn't about me. We won this thing by playing team ball and none of us cared about how many points somebody was scoring. It was about winning together and if I'd have only scored two points and we won, that would've been plenty good for me, and all the other guys would say the same.'"

KSHBHF Board Member Rick Walters said they were thrilled to see the Hennion family visit the museum and hopes this will encourage others to visit. The facility is currently featuring the Edmonson County display, which features the team trophy, currently on loan from Edmonson County High, a team photo, and other items from the historic achievement from the tiny school in Brownsville.

Hennion said he and his family enjoyed the visit and said nothing but good things about the facility.

"It tickled them to death that we came," he said. "They treated us like royalty and just kept on taking pictures."

The KHSBHF is located at Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, 212 W. Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. You can reach them by clicking here.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Seven different student athletes from Edmonson County have been named to all-District 12 basketball teams.

For the Lady Cats, the following basketball team members were named:

• All-Academic Team: Katie Lindsey
• All-Season Team: Katie Lindsey, Macie McCombs, Lily Jayne Vincent
• All-Tournament Team: Macie McCombs, Lily Jayne Vincent

The following Wildcats were named to the boys' all-district teams:

• All-Academic Team: Gavin Rose
• All-Season Team: Chaz Wilson, Jon Smith, Gavin Rose
• All-Tournament Team: Chaz Wilson, Braden Wall

While the shortened season didn't end as hoped for either team with the girls finishing 6-14 and the boys ending the year at 6-13, there were still milestones achieved for both. Senior Katie Lindsey became a member of the 1000 point club earlier in the season for the Lady Cats and senior Chaz Wilson achieved the same for the boys this year. 

It was also the final year of coaching for Wildcat Head Coach Mike McClintic, who is retiring after his 43-year career in high school sports. 

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
The Wildcats' season ended last night as they fell 40-39 to Butler County in the first round of the District 12 Tournament, hosted by Trinity High School in Whitesville.

Three consecutive Wildcat turnovers in the final minutes and a couple of calls that didn't set well with Edmonson County fans were part of a 9-2 run from Butler County that gave them their first lead since the second quarter.

Edmonson County had a mediocre start to the game as Butler led 12-7 after the first. The Wildcats cranked up the defense in the second and held the Bears to only 5 points as Edmonson County took a 23-17 lead at the break.

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​It was all Chaz Wilson for the Wildcats in the third quarter--literally. The senior center scored all 11 of Edmonson County's points as they took a 34-29 lead going into the fourth.

Butler County knocked down some shots early in the quarter and tied it at 36 on a Bears 7-2 run with 5:29 to go. The Bears took their first lead since the second at 38-36 but senior Gavin Rose hit a three with 3:13 left to put the Cats back on top by one; however, Edmonson County committed three straight turnovers, which kept the momentum on the side of the Butler County.

A couple of missed shots that simply were in and out for the Wildcats allowed Butler County more opportunities. The Bears missed a shot on an inbounds play but tipped it in with 7.6 seconds on the clock. The Wildcats would have to come the length of the floor for one more attempt. Chaz Wilson put up a final shot against four Bear defenders as the ball bounced just short and left of the hoop as time expired.

Wilson led the Wildcats with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson averaged 17 points and 13 rebounds for Edmonson County this season and joined the 1,000 point club this year. 

Sophomore Braden Wall had 10 points and 5 rebounds, Daniel Woosley had 4 points and 5 rebounds, Gavin Rose, Lane Lindsey, and Isaiah Johnson all had 3 points each. 

Edmonson County shot 27% from the field on 13 of 48 shots.

It was the final high school basketball game for 7 seniors: Chaz Wilson, Daniel Woosley, Gavin Rose, Jon Smith, Isaiah Johnson, Lane Lindsey, and Dylan Lindsey, as well as long-time coach Mike McClintic. Coach Mac discussed the game, his seniors, the team, and season.

​"We obviously didn't want it to end like this, but as I've said many times before, I couldn't ask for any better effort than our kids gave me last night," he said. "We cranked up our defense in the second and switched a couple things up and I really felt like that put us in a good position. We didn't shoot well and that hurt us, but some mistakes we made in the fourth just allowed the momentum to go to Butler County and we weren't able to overcome that. It wasn't one shot here or there, or a single play or a call that lost it, there were just some things that didn't go our way."

Coach Mac ends his 43-year coaching career after this season. 

"My shoes are not hard to fill because whoever comes in after me has a great group of kids coming up," he said. "Whoever takes my place is already in a position for success because of these kids. I know it's really tough for our seniors and I can't say enough about them. I couldn't ask any more from a group of kids that we have. It's been special and it's been a wonderful experience."

McClintic said what makes Edmonson County different from other places he's been is the character of the players and students.

"They're the best, period. It's just something special that we have here that you don't find just anywhere. I'm going to miss it."

The Wildcats end the season with a 6-13 record. 

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
The stat sheets for both teams were nearly identical in most categories but timely turnovers and missed opportunities were obstacles that the Lady Cats couldn't overcome last night in a 53-46 loss to Grayson County in the first round of the District 12 Tournament, hosted at Whitesville Trinity.

Both teams shot poorly in the first quarter that ended in a 6-6 tie. Edmonson County shot 2-16 (12%) from the field while Grayson wasn't much better from the field on 3-11 shooting for 27%.
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Grayson County held a slight edge at the half, leading 19-16. Edmonson County continued to struggle to score with no one scoring more than 3 points at the break.

The Lady Cats looked much better coming out of the locker room for the third, as they began to drive to the rim and making shots. Edmonson County took the lead on multiple occasions and the teams swapped back and forth. Both teams were still shooting under 30% from the field and Edmonson County had pulled to within one point (30-29) at the end of the third. 

The first few minutes of the fourth saw much of the same, and Edmonson County took the lead with around 5 minutes to go; however, their next three possessions ended in consecutive turnovers and the momentum shifted greatly in favor of the Lady Cougars. That momentum helped Grayson build a 10-point lead with about 3 minutes to go. The Lady Cats were forced to foul down the stretch and Grayson County held on for the win.

Coach Bart Weaver said Grayson County had a great game plan.

"I've said before that if I were to coach against us, I'd double team Katie, make sure Macie didn't get any threes, and hope that Lily, Page, Jay, Hallie, and everybody else doesn't beat me," he said. "So give Grayson credit. They had a good game plan and they did what they were supposed to."

Weaver said it was obviously a tough locker room atmosphere after last night's loss that ended their season.

"It was really difficult last night because these girls have meant so much and saying goodbye to the seniors was tough. I told them I loved them and I'd always be there for them because we're family. I told them that no one is going out the gym door a loser. These kids have been a part of 102 wins over the last four years and that's unbelievable. Not many girls can say that. They've just meant so much to me."

Lily Jayne Vincent led the Lady Cats with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Macie McCombs added 8 points and 6 rebounds, Shea VanMeter had 7 points and 7 rebounds, Katie Lindsey and Paige Wolfe each added 7 points as well. Cariann Williams had 3 points and Hallie Cassady and Jaedlyn Simon scored 2 points each.

Edmonson out-rebounded Grayson 36-35, and in shooting, it was Edmonson 29% from the field-Grayson, 34%. Both teams shot 52% from the free throw line. Edmonson shot 19% from behind the arc while Grayson shot 29%.

The Lady Cats end their season with a record of 6-14, 3-3 in region play, and 2-2 in the district. They will lose three seniors: Katie Lindsey, Macie McCombs, and Shea VanMeter. 

Darren Doyle, story: photos by Rick Walters:
The Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, or the KHSBHF, has a new exhibit currently on display at their Elizabethtown facility that highlights one of the Commonwealth's most unlikely stories; the 1976 Edmonson County State Champion Wildcats.

KSHBHF Board Member Rick Walters said the display features the team trophy, currently on loan from Edmonson County High, a team photo, and other items from the historic achievement from the tiny school in Brownsville.

"If you pay attention to high school basketball in Kentucky, you remember the 1976 team," Walters said. "We're looking for great feedback on this display when we reopen on March 19th, and we want to keep it here as long as Edmonson County will let us use the trophy. Hopefully that will be until basketball season opens up next year. We also hope that the folks in Edmonson County will be proud of the display."

According to the KHSBHF website, The Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame was born from an idea from the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. Under the direction of North Hardin High School’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach Ron Bevars, the project began in October 2009 with the stated purpose of recognizing and protecting the heritage of Kentucky High School Basketball.

One exhibit features a photo of Wildcats team member Mark Hennion cutting down the net, which happened 45 years ago this month. 

Edmonson County defeated Betsy Lane 77-72 in round one of the Sweet Sixteen, then Harrison County 61-57. They narrowly topped Shelby County 53-52 in the final four and then dominated Christian County 74-52 in the championship game.

"We will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00AM to 4:00PM," Walters added. "We will increase the days as we progress with COVID restrictions.  We can also schedule a visit on other days, they just need to call us and set something up."

The KHSBHF is located at Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, 212 W. Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. You can reach them by clicking here.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Edmonson County Lady Cats notched a 57-47 win against the Lady Mustangs of Muhlenburg County last night in the final home game of the 2020-21 season at ECHS. It was a much needed win for the Lady Cats who have struggled late in the season; losing nine games out of their last ten until last night. 

Although out-rebounded 40-28 by the Lady Mustangs and committing 18 turnovers, Edmonson County shot 51% from the field and held Muhlenburg to only 25% shooting, which proved to be the difference. Coach Bart Weaver said the win was crucial going into the District 12 Tournament, which begins Monday night. 

"Finishing this game tonight was big for our girls," he said. "I told them after the game that we'll have to shore up a couple of areas, which are rebounding and passing. They pounded us on the boards tonight and we had way too many turnovers, yet won anyway."

Senior Katie Lindsey led the Lady Cats with 25 points, 6 steals, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a blocked shot. 

"We've been really working hard to get some momentum to get ready for Grayson County," she said. "We've been trying to get better and play well for all four quarters. Everything with this virus has hurt our momentum, but we knew we had to have a win tonight, so we pulled it together and we did."

Lindsey said while the emotions were high for her last home game, it's now time to put all the focus on Grayson County, who will meet the Lady Cats in the first round of the district tournament.

"I'm ready for them. I love playing them and love the atmosphere when we play. They're talking a lot of smack so let's see if they can back it up," said Lindsey.

Senior Macie McCombs also discussed the much-needed win.

"We've been on a losing streak and we knew we needed to win this one," she said. "We told everybody to fight tonight, and they fought."

When asked about preparing for Grayson County on Monday night, she said it will take a complete, 100% effort.

"We have to give it all we have. We want the 4-peat. We want to win, to upset Grayson, we want to win it, everybody wants it."

Until this season, Senior Shea VanMeter saw limited playing time, but she's been a leader and important role player on this year's team. She said last night's win was crucial.

"We knew we needed this win. We need momentum going into Monday because it's such a big game. Grayson County just expects to win and they don't really think it's a big deal we beat them earlier in the year at their place, but they'll be just as hungry as we are, we'll just have to be more." 

The remaining box score for Edmonson County was Vincent 9, Simon 8, McCombs 7, VanMeter 2, Cassady 2, Wolfe 2, Williams 2.

Coach Weaver said the team discussed the importance of the win as part of the preparation for next week.

"It meant a lot to the seniors as it was the last game they'll ever play here, but I think in the mindset of the whole team, a loss tonight would've been really tough with Grayson next week," he said. "We have two days to prepare and we feel good about our matchups. We're going to be watching film and breaking it down. Our girls will get ready for Grayson."

The girls will take on Grayson County in round one of the tournament on Monday, with a 7:30PM tip scheduled at host school Whitesville-Trinity. The Edmonson Voice will stream the game live on video and audio with the pregame show starting around 7:15PM.

Cameron Whitfill, photos:
Edmonson County High School celebrated Senior night 2021 for the ECHS Band and Cheer squad last night at the final home basketball game of the season. Senior band members Skylyn Arms and Elise Richmond, along with cheer members Jessica Butts, Kaylee Cook, Michael Shaw, and Heather Todd were honored at center court with their families.

Please enjoy the slideshow published below: 

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
A high-contact shot attempt at the buzzer that ended with a miss and a no-call was the final play of the night as the Wildcats fell to Green County 52-50 last night at ECHS.

With 7 seconds remaining and the Wildcats down 2 points, senior Chaz Wilson drove to the basket for a shot attempt that missed as Green County's Jackson Johnson attempted to take a charge. Jackson and Wilson got tied up on the missed shot but no call was made. Most fans would agree that it appeared as though Wilson committed a charge, which could have changed the outcome of the game.

Had the charge call been made, Green County would've had the ball underneath the Wildcat basket with under a second left, giving the Wildcats one more attempt for a possible steal and shot attempt at the buzzer. While the outcome of the game would not have likely changed, most Wildcat fans thought at least some call had to be made. 

"There was contact there, I don't care what anybody says," said Coach Mike McClintic. "There was contact. Either it's a charge, or it's a foul on them. It's got to be called something."

While Wildcat fans wanted some sort of a call, no game is ever decided by one single play or an official's call, or in this case, a lack of a call. Edmonson County found themselves down 9 points at the half and had to scrape and claw to tie the score at 40 at the end of the third quarter. 

Edmonson County outrebounded the Dragons 27-17 and while the turnovers were about equal, those turnovers came at the wrong times for Edmonson County and Green County capitalized on them.

"I'm proud of the boys again, we were down early," said Coach Mac. "We're fighting back all the time and I'm proud of them. Everybody that got in their game did their job and I can't ask anymore out of them than what they gave me tonight."

McClintic was recognized before the game for his 43-year career of coaching. He announced earlier in the week that he will retire from coaching and teaching after this season.

The Wildcats were led by Chaz Wilson's 11 points and 10 rebounds. Gavin Rose had 10 points, Lane Lindsey added 8, Braden Wall had 7, Jon Smith had 5 points and 5 rebounds, Isaiah Johnson added 4, Cole Saling had 3, and Trace Taylor scored 2 points.

Edmonson County falls to 6-11 on the season. After today's game at Russellville scheduled for 10AM, the boys will not play during the upcoming week as a COVID precaution before the District 12 tournament, scheduled at Trinity the following week. 

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
The Lady Dragons of Green County soon forgot about the solid first quarter they faced from the Lady Cats as a big run in the second was enough to keep Edmonson County playing catchup for the rest of the night.

Edmonson's girls came out with a good start; something that's plagued them throughout the season, as they shot well and crashed the boards. Hallie Cassady gave the Lady Cats a 16-14 lead with 4 seconds remaining in the quarter when a controversial call put Green County at the line for three free throws. Edmonson's Jaedlyn Simon fouled Green County's Kylie Jackson at half court with 0.1 seconds on the clock. The foul appeared to be on the floor but Jackson tossed the ball up after the foul, and she was awarded three free throws, hitting all of them for a 17-16 lead.

While down 17-16 after one, the Lady Cats kept it up at the start of the second and took a 26-21 lead with four minutes to go in the half; however, during that 4-minute stretch, Green County went on a 14-3 run and took a 35-28 halftime lead. Edmonson County trailed for the remainder of the contest; most of the time in double digits.

Green County remained in control during the second half and the Lady Cats were unable to mount a comeback. 

Despite a sore thumb on her shooting hand, Macie McCombs led the Lady Cats in scoring with 11 points and also grabbed 5 rebounds. Katie Lindsey, who was also recognized after the game for scoring her career 1000th point earlier in the week in a win against Warren Central, added 8 points and 8 assists, Shea VanMeter had 7 points and 6 rebounds, Lily Jayne Vincent had 5 points and 7 rebounds, Hallie Cassady had 4 points, Jaedlyn Simon had 4 points, and Paige Wolfe and Leah Ballance added 3 points each.

The Lady Cats are now 5-11 on the season and have the final three regular season games scheduled for next week: Monday at Glasgow, Tuesday at home against Campbellsville, and Friday at home against Muhlenburg County.

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
Edmonson County Wildcat Head Basketball Coach Mike McClintic has announced his retirement from both coaching and teaching after the 2020-21 school year.

Coach Mac joined the boys' basketball program at ECHS in 2013 as an assistant coach and took over the program during the 2014-15 season. In 2017, McClintic led the Wildcats to their first district championship since 1993, breaking a 24-year drought.

McClintic discussed his career and his thoughts on moving forward after the school year ends.

"It's been fun and I've loved it," he said. "I've been blessed with great kids, with great parents, and the only complaint I have is that we didn't get more wins--and that's not for me, that's for the kids."

Coach Mac began his professional career as a teacher at his Alma Mater at Orleans High School in Orleans, Indiana in 1978, where he also began coaching JV basketball and was assistant coach to the varsity team. In 1986 he moved to Cannelton High School in Indiana where was named head varsity coach and stayed until 2000, when he retired from Indiana schools.

He came to ECHS in 2002 as a special education teacher and began coaching the ECMS boys team until 2004 when he took over the Edmonson County Lady Cat basketball program. He remained head coach for the Lady Cats through 2011 until he was named head coach of Lady Cat Volleyball. He came to the boys' basketball program as assistant during the 2013-14 season and became head coach in 2014 where he has remained ever since.

In addition to coaching basketball and volleyball, he also coached ECHS track from 2012-16 and he has been the assistant athletic director at Edmonson County since 2010. 

​This season makes his 43rd year in basketball, not counting all the years as a player in both high school and college. As a player at Orleans High School in Indiana in the early 70s, McClintic regularly took on NBA legend Larry Bird, as Bird played for Springs Valley High in French Lick, a rival school of McClintic's Bulldogs from Orleans.

"We played against each other all the time," said Coach Mac. "He was a fantastic player when he was 6'2", but after one summer he came back and he was 6'8". He was unstoppable then."

Bird and McClintic were actually teammates, if only for a couple months in college.

"He never talked about it, but he transferred to Northwood Junior College where we were teammates," Mac said. "He didn't stay long, it was only a couple of months before he left there and went to Indiana State. From there, well, he became "Larry Legend."

The 65-year old McClintic simply said, "It's time." He has two daughters and six grandchildren in Indiana, with whom he wants to spend more time. 

"As you get older, you get more mellow, you get softer, or at least I have," he said. "I don't really have any plans for the future except spending more time with my family. That, and I'll probably play a little golf."

He said any success that may have come his way was because of the kids he coached and the people around him.

"I've been lucky. I have a wife like Teresa who has supported me and encouraged me, and she was a big part of why I got back into basketball. The administration has been great here, we've always gotten along great. And everyone knows how close Bart (Weaver) and I are. We had a lot of great times together here, I just can't say enough about this place. Not just him, but all the great coaches we've had and still have on our staff. It's just been great. I'm proud of all the kids that I've seen come through our programs. Most all of them have been successful after they leave here. Anything good that's ever come out of here while I've been here is because of those kids."

McClintic said he hopes that he'll be remembered as a positive person that tried to brighten the lives of the kids he coached. He said while everyone wants to win and see banners hanging, he said he also wanted to focus on mentoring kids and helping players and students become better people.

McClintic's record as head coach for the Lady Cats was 73-108 and 87-99 (as of today) as head coach for the Wildcats, which is not likely to turn any heads or win awards. However, at every graduation ceremony at ECHS, you'll find a long line of seniors--boys, girls, players, and students-- waiting to get their photos taken with Mike McClintic, and that says all a person really needs to know.

Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
It's one that definitely slipped away from the Lady Cats last night at ECHS as the Lady Bears of Butler County overcame a 17-point halftime deficit to defeat Edmonson County 66-65. 

Butler County held the Lady Cats to only 5 fourth quarter points as they knocked Edmonson County out of a guaranteed first seed in the upcoming District 12 Tournament, which is scheduled to be hosted by Whitesville Trinity. The seeding will now be determined by a draw between the three tied teams: Edmonson, Butler, and Grayson.

​Butler County outscored the Lady Cats 20-5 in the final quarter.

While Edmonson County stuck to their game plan that allowed success for three quarters, untimely turnovers (19) and poor free throw shooting (6/16 =38%) overshadowed excellent rebounding (38 team rebounds), much better shooting (46%, 7/8 from 3pt), and a 29-point, 6 assist performance from senior Katie Lindsey.

Coach Bart Weaver discussed the Lady Bear comeback.

"It's a tough one, especially when you're up by 17 at the half," he said. "We missed some free throws, we missed several loose balls, and those things just add up."

​Weaver said the only thing to do after a game like this is look forward and try to learn from the result.

"We were desperately needing a good start, we got a good start. We pounded the boards. We just have to move on and we have to move on, quickly. We have to play Warren East Tuesday night. Don't hang your heads, they gave it all they got, physically. Both teams gave it every ounce of energy that they had."

In addition to Lindsey's 29, Macie McCombs had 15 points and 5 rebounds, Paige Wolfe added 10 points, Lily Jayne Vincent added 7 points and 8 rebounds, Shea VanMeter had 3 points and 9 rebounds, Hallie Cassady added one point and 5 rebounds, and Jaedlyn Simon pulled down 7 rebounds.

It's the 5th consecutive loss for the Lady Cats and they now fall to 4-9 on the season. They are scheduled to take on Warren East at home tonight in a JV/V match with JV set for a 5:30PM tip.