Darren Doyle, story: Alyssa Doyle, photos:
Edmonson County's Lady Cats notched their first win of the season last night at ECHS as they defeated Russellville 49-30 in the 2022-23 season opener.

Zone defense from the Lady Cats held the Lady Panthers to 0% shooting from the field in the first half. Russellville did not score a field goal until 5:10 left in the third quarter. They made only four field goals all night, which included one three-pointer. The remaining 21 points scored by the Lady Panthers came from the free throw line, where they attempted 37 of them, compared to only 15 free throw attempts from Edmonson County.

The quick and athletic Lady Panthers couldn't buy a bucket, despite getting some good looks around the basket. Some went in and out of the rim while others bounced off the top of the backboard, or even over it.

Coach Bart Weaver credited his team for success early in the game.

"I thought we did a really good job first, you know, coming out and playing pretty well early," he said. Coach Weaver said his worry was playing sloppy in the second half with a big lead. Edmonson led 32-4 at the half. He said that while the turnovers were too high (18) and there were other things that needed to be "shored up," he was pleased with the defense early, where the Lady Cats caused some real trouble for Russellville with zone, shutting down Lady Panther senior guard A'miyah Collier.

"We've worked really hard the last couple days just working on that zone. Collier is one of the best players in the fourth region. She's very athletic and already signed to play softball at Central Arkansas. She's a really good player and she's such a good penetrator but not a good outside shooter, so we've worked really hard on closing those gaps in those zones. Overall, I thought we did a great job of keeping her out of the paint."

Senior point guard Annie Kiper led all scorers with 18 points and 3 rebounds. Freshman Cariann Williams had 15 points and 6 rebounds. Emma White had 6 points and 9 rebounds, Callie Webb had 3 points and 2 rebounds, and Lily Jayne Vincent had 2 points and 10 rebounds. Vincent also grabbed her 500th career rebound during the game. Kennadi Swihart and Jenna Cook each added 2 and Maggie Cassady added one point.

Edmonson County shot 53% from the field, 22% from three-point land, and 73% from the free throw line.

They are 1-0 on the season and are set to take on Cumberland County in a girl/boy doubleheader this Saturday at 3PM.

Edmonson County's boys earned their first win of the season on Tuesday night, defeating Nelson County on the road, 57-41. They are now 1-1.

Darren Doyle, story, Alyssa Doyle, photos:
An unexpected early barrage of three-pointers from Daviess County, paired with some very untimely turnovers from Edmonson County resulted in the 63-60 Wildcats' loss to the Panthers in the 2022-23 season opener at home last night at ECHS.

The Wildcats looked to get the ball in the paint, which worked early as they led 15-14 after the first. The second quarter saw Daviess County start knocking down threes and taking the lead. They hit seven of them in the first half and went 10/20 for the game for 50% shooting from behind the arc. The score was tied at 34 at halftime.

While the Panthers hit a three to start the third quarter, Edmonson County did a much better job of fighting through screens and defending the three-pointer; however, a few of those untimely turnovers led to a 46-38 lead from the Panthers.

Edmonson County then went on an impressive 8-0 run to tie the score at 46 with 2:21 left in the third, finished off by Boden Bates' bank shot from the left side, which forced a Panther timeout.

Neither team scored for the next minute until Tyler Anderson's free throws gave the Cats a 48-46 lead with 1:27 left in the third. Anderson finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds and was a perfect 8/8 from the line. Edmonson County led 50-48 at the end of the third quarter.

The Wildcats looked as though they were taking command as the fourth quarter began with a 54-48 lead. They held Daviess County scoreless until 5:38 to go. The Panthers were able to close the gap to 54-52 when the Wildcats threw the ball out of bounds for an unforced turnover with 2:54 left. The Panthers took a 55-54 lead on their next possession as they hit a three with 2:21 to go.

Edmonson's Zander Bass nailed a tough jumper through contact to regain the lead at 56-55 with two minutes left, but the Cats gave up a wide open three on Daviess County's next possession and the Panthers were up again at 58-56 with 1:37 left. The Cats couldn't convert on their next possession and Edmonson's Will Alexander set up for the charge on the other end under the basket for the incoming Panther shot. He was called for a foul as the bucket went in. Daviess missed the free throw and was then charged a foul on the rebound attempt.

Edmonson's Braxton Highbaugh missed the front end of the bonus but the ball was tipped out and rebounded by Alexander. Tyler Anderson drove to the right side of the basket and banked in a layup under heavy contact. The Cats trailed 58-60 with 46 seconds to go. Edmonson County's full court pressure caused a turnover as Highbaugh swiped a pass in midair; he threw the ball to Bass near the Cats' basket but he couldn't hang on to it through contact from the defensive player. Both players went to the ground and Daviess County recovered the ball and called timeout with 33 seconds left. The Cats were back in the same situation, this time with 13 seconds less left on the clock.

Daviess County drew the foul with 25 seconds to go and hit both free throws for a 62-58 lead. Highbaugh drove the lane and drew the foul with 16 seconds left. He hit both shots to bring them within two points. Daviess was fouled with 12 seconds on the clock. They missed the first shot but made the second, (63-60) leaving opportunity for the Cats to tie it with a three.

Coach Brad Johnson called a timeout to set up a final play. The Cats weren't able to get off a good shot and Braden Wall was forced to put up a difficult turnaround three at the buzzer that fell short.

Coach Johnson gave his assessment of the loss after the game.

"We didn't take care of the ball at key parts of the game," he said. "I take the blame myself, I've got to have them more ready, but on a key possession up three or four and we just throw it out of bounds? I mean come on."

He said the Cats obviously have some things to fix while the season gets off in full swing with another game tonight on the road at Nelson County and on Saturday at Cumberland County.

"I'm just really disappointed with, daggone it, how we handled the ball," he said. "We answered the call (when) they made a little run there. I said 'ok, we're gonna see what we're made of right here,' when we're down five or six, and man, we answered the charge, came back and took the lead. But then we just fiddle-farted around and threw it out of bounds."

Highbaugh led the Cats in scoring with 15 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Anderson added 14 and 6 rebounds. Boden Bates had 11 points off the bench. Alexander added 8, Wall added 6 points and 9 rebounds, and Bass had 6 points and 5 rebounds.

Edmonson County shot 47% from the field, 28% from behind the arc, and 77% from the free throw line. They committed 12 turnovers and out-rebounded the Panthers 28-15.

Edmonson County is 0-1 on the season and travels to Nelson County for a JV/V match tonight beginning at 6PM.

The Lady Cats will take on Russellville tonight at home in the season opener for a varsity game only, beginning at 7PM. The game will be streamed live through the Edmonson Voice.

The winning boys alumni team was coached by Johnny Pete Vincent and Slug Duvall, and the opposing team was coached by Kevin Clemmons and Phil Rich.

Afterwards, the Lady Cats divided up evenly into two teams and played a 30-minute quarter intersquad scrimmage. Team White won with a final score of 12-8. The Wildcats then divided into two teams and also played a 30 minute quarter. Team white won with a final score of 28-25.

The first official game of the season for the Wildcats is Monday, November 28, 2022 at home against Daviess County at 7:30PM. The Lady Cats will play Russellville at home on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 7PM.

Darren Doyle, story and photos: Peytin Manor, photo editing assistant:
The 2022 Edmonson County Wildcat football season came to an end tonight with a 48-0 loss to Lexington Christian Academy in Lexington.

The Eagles of LCA were hoping to showcase the passing skills D1 prospect quarterback Cutter Boley, a junior, who has already received offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, UK, and several other schools. Boley effortlessly threw a 40 yard pass on their first play of the game but the receiver bobbled it untouched after the catch and the Wildcats were able to recover the fumble.

The Cats weren't able to get anything going on offense during the possession and LCA got on the board first with 9:30 left in the first with JConte Emerson scoring on a 1-yard run. The extra point was good for a 7-0 Eagles lead.

The Eagles would make another big play on their next possession; a 55-yard punt return from Evan Brown, another highly touted college prospect. The extra point made it 14-0 with 5:30 in the first.

The Cats were snuffed out every time they began to get some momentum, which included a huge interception from Edmonson's Tyler Anderson, and several penalties against the Eagles that afforded Edmonson County some extra opportunities.

First year head coach Zach Vincent said he couldn't be any prouder of his guys despite the loss and the season's end.

"We had them on their heels the first part of the game but just couldn’t punch it in," he said. "Like I told the boys, things happen that are out of hands but we have to keep fighting and they did."

Vincent said that no one wants to see their season come to end unless you are the team that hoists up the state championship trophy, but despite the ups and downs over the season and injuries at inopportune times, the Wildcats found stability and were able to accomplish some goals.

"To have a group that came out of a season like they had last year and do the things they did was great to be apart of.  This group had a tough schedule--playing five teams that were at least top ten in their respective classes. I believe what best describes this team is they are fighters. Win or lose, they fight. We had a simple goal this year. Enjoy the game and try and fight for a win."

Coach Vincent also credited his seniors for their leadership that meant so much to the team.

"Couldn’t ask for a better group of young men. They have helped build and improve this program and left something  special for the seniors next year to take over and keep building. We talk all year about how people are watching, especially those little-leaguers as we walk off and on the field and practice field. That’s what we're building and maintaining; pride in Wildcat football."

Edmonson County finishes their season 3-8 on the year. While the record may not turn many heads, it's an improvement from last year's very tough winless season. Both Coach Vincent and Wildcat fans are looking for even more improvement next year.