Buttram Leads The Way For The Cats In Win Over Monroe

Senior Hunter Buttram launches a 3 against Monroe Co. He hit 5 three pointers and scored 26 points with 10 rebounds.

Darren Doyle story
Laney Meredith photos
Aggressive post play along with hot three point shooting propelled the Wildcats to a 81-72 win over the Monroe County Falcons last night at ECHS, led by senior Hunter Buttram's game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. 

While Buttram's numbers impressed, they shouldn't take away from the fact that five different Wildcats scored in double figures, while three players put up double-doubles.

Edmonson County got a little winded in the first quarter as they struggled to keep up with the fast pace from the Falcons, falling behind 14-6, however, the Wildcats were able to slow things down as they pounded the ball down low. EC inched their way back in by drawing fouls in the paint, knocking down free throws, and hitting several post buckets, none bigger than Iszic Blankenship's drop step, two-handed dunk that brought the crowd to it's feet. The Wildcats tied things up 18 all with 12-4 run to end the first quarter.

The second quarter began with Buttram making a bucket and the foul, converting a three-point play that gave the Wildcats their second lead of the game. They never trailed again as a combination of dribble drives, strong post play, and 5-three pointers from Buttram, plucked the feathers from the Falcons.

The Wildcats led 35-27 at the half and 56-43 after the third. The Falcons almost started a rally in the final quarter, helped by some Wildcat turnovers, but Edmonson County hit their free throws down the stretch as they were able to hold on to win. 

Hunter Buttram was named the WildcatsLive player of the game. "I give all the credit to my team when I score," he said. "They spread the floor and moved well with and without the ball. That helped me get open looks where I was lucky enough to knock down some shots for us."

Four other Wildcats had impressive numbers as well. Cuban Sowders scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, Blankenship had 13 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, Bailey Board scored 13, going 5/6 from the free throw line, and Caleb Skaggs also landed in double figures with 10 points.

No doubt students at ECHS were giving Blankenship high-fives this morning as slam dunks are not very common around here. "When you live in Edmonson County you don't see that happen too often, so when he threw it down, it lifted us up...for sure the play of the game!" Buttram added.