Hornets Get Stung By Wildcats At Homecoming

The Edmonson County Wildcats had no problem taking care of Metcalfe County on Tuesday night, at least not until a late rally in the last couple minutes from the Hornets during the first game of the Basketball Homecoming Boy/Girl doubleheader. The Wildcats jumped out to a ten point lead after the first quarter and stayed on cruise control with a 15-20 point lead throughout the game until the fourth quarter, when a combination of sloppy play from the Cats and good execution from the Hornets made for an interesting run. 

With 2 minutes to go, the Hornets nailed a three to cut what had been a Wildcat 20 point lead to only 5. The difference would get no closer than that as the Cats hit their free throws down the stretch and pulled out the win, 66-56. 

Chase Turley led the way with 13 points and 8 rebounds. He fouled out, but not before he brought the crowd to their feet as he slammed home two points on a breakaway dunk in the second half.

Coach Mike McClintic  said that his team simply got a little too comfortable in the fourth quarter. "The first three quarters were really good, but I think there at the end our guys just felt like 'hey we got this' and it just got sloppy." He also said that even though he's no fan of looking for excuses, last night's district nail-biter against Butler County didn't make things any easier tonight. "That and tonight's game being emotional--homecoming, you know, it may have worn us down a little bit as the game went on."

Coach also smiled as he talked about the dunk from Chase Turley. "I think that's gonna help Chase a little bit through the rest of the year. He's wanted that badly, and yeah, that'll keep him going." He said it was good to get the win tonight which brings the Cats' record to 13-10 heading into Friday's district game against Whitesville Trinity, at Trinity.

Dakota Woodcock added 12 points, going 10/12 from the free throw line, some of those coming in the final minute of the game. Cuban Sowders scored 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. He's nursed a sore shoulder all season long, and while attempting a rebound, it popped out of place, but as he hit the ground, it actually popped back in. Coach McClintic said Sowders might have surgery after the season ends. Hunter Buttram scored 6 points while Cole Bedwell and Caleb Skaggs added 5 each. 

Darren Doyle
Story and photos