ECMS Lady Cat Basketball, It's Really Good

Madison McCombs looks to make a pass during Friday night's game vs. Grayson County. (S. McCombs)

On Monday November 3rd, the ECMS Lady Cats traveled to Beaver Dam, KY to square off with the Lady Eagles of Ohio County.  Coach Tom Vincent’s 7th grade squad controlled the game from the tip of the ball until the final horn, never trailing in the game and winning 24-13. Lauren Ballance led the 7th grade team with 12 points.

The 8th grade Lady Cats came in with a chip on their shoulder looking to prove something as Coach Tyra Ballance saw her team get off to a hot start on both offense and defense with a 10-2 lead after the first quarter, and a 17-8 lead at halftime. The Lady Cats hot hands continued in the second half as the toppled the Lady Eagles 34-20, sweeping both games in Beaver Dam. The 8th grade team was lead in scoring by Chanley Logsdon with 12, Lauren Ballance with 11, and Madison McCombs contributed 6 points.

On November 8th, Hancock County traveled to Edmonson County for a Saturday midday game against the Lady Cats. Once again the 7th grade team came ready to play with a near perfectly executed first half for Coach Tom Vincent, heading to the locker room at halftime with an 18-0 lead. Not looking back, they finished the game off with another mark in the win column, beating Hancock County  31-5, and keeping the 7th Grade Lady Cat’s record perfect, at 4-0.

Hancock County’s 8th grade team came out on fire in the first quarter, as they outscored the Lady Cats 7-4. But it wouldn't last as the Lady Cats turned their defense up in the second quarter, limiting Hancock County to only 5 points, as they entered the locker room at halftime, leading 16-12. The Lady Cat’s hot hands continued on into the second half, outscoring their opponent in the 3rd and 4th quarters, taking home the victory 39-25. The 8th grade team improved their record to 3-1. Lauren Ballance and Keely Doyle both added 7 points, Hannah Meredith came up with 8 points and starting point guard Chanley Logsdon lead the way with 11 points.

On Monday, November 10,  ECMS hosted Breckenridge County at home for both 7th and 8th grade matches. Like all the previous games, the 7th grade Lady Cats came to play, and on fire. At halftime they lead 19-2, eventually winning 31-16.  Starting point guard Katie Lindsey had a big game with 10 points, 4 steals, as starting center, Emma Rose Vincent may have had the best performance of the night with 8 points,  4 steals, and 4 rebounds.

Hoping to not repeat the outcome of their first game with Breckenridge County, Coach Tyra Ballance made adjustments and played some different schemes this time around, but it took the girls a while to get going, trailing 21-16 at halftime. Breckenridge County focused most of their defense on Lauren Ballance, consistently sending her to the free throw line. In the end, Breckenridge County proved to be too tough for the Lady Cats, and stole one at home from them 41-32. Madison McCombs lead the Lady Cats with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal.

On Friday, November 13, the rivalry between Grayson County and Edmonson County continued as the Lady Cougars traveled to ECMS.  The 7th grade Lady Cougars (6-2) came out firing on all cylinders, taking the Lady Cats by surprise and outscoring them in the first quarter 8-5. At the half, Grayson County lead 13-12 and Coach Tom Vincent entered the locker room for the first time all year with a deficit.  However, whatever he said in the locker room worked, because the Lady Cats dominated the 3rd quarter as they shut down Grayson, not allowing a single point  by the Lady Cougars while having their highest scoring quarter of the year. The 7th grade Lady Cats ran away with the W, with a final score of 35-15. Katie Lindsey finished the game with 9 points and 6 steals, and Emma Rose Vincent had 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block for the Lady Cats. The 7th grade team is now at a perfect 6-0.

As the the 8th grade teams took the court, The Lady Cougars came out ready to play. The ECMS got into foul trouble early and put Grayson County in the bonus just after the start of the 2nd quarter. The Lady Cougars started to run away with the game and at half time lead the Lady Cats 22-10.  Grayson County remained in control into the 4th quarter, but with  2 minutes left, ECMS point guard Chanly Logsdon made a key basket, along with some free throws to tie the game with just under a minute to play. As Grayson began setting up the next play,  Lady Cat forward Madison McCombs stole the ball, took it from coast to coast, scored and was fouled, giving ECMS their first lead of the game 37-35 with 53 seconds left to play. Lauren Ballance got a huge rebound on the McCombs free-throw miss, and was fouled on the attempted put back. Going 1 for 2 at the line, Ballance increased the Lady Cats lead to 38-35, and that would be all the Lady Cats needed as they held on for the comeback win over Grayson County’s Lady Cougars.  Ballance lead all scorers with 15 points, adding 8 rebounds, with 3 assists, Madison McCombs added 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals and Chanley Logsdon finished the game with 8 points. The 8th grade Lady Cats improve to 4-2.

ECMS will play 3 games this week, with a home game tonight, while traveling to Barren County Middle School tomorrow night, and Hancock County on Saturday.

This week's Edmonson Voice ECMS Lady Cats player of the week will be the 8th Grade Starting 5, Chanley Logsdon, Hannah Meredith, Keely Doyle, Madison McCombs, and Lauren Ballance.

8th Grade Coach Tyra Ballance gives instruction to 7th grader, Lauren Ballance during Friday night's game vs. Grayson County. (S. McCombs)