Lady Cats Take 2nd Place in 2A Sectionals, Suffer First Loss of Season

Edmonson County sophomore center Cariann Williams (30) shoots a short jumper in traffic against Franklin-Simpson in the KHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Warren East High School Saturday December 16 in Bowling Green.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:

​Edmonson County Lady Cats took the floor against a bigger, stronger more experienced Franklin-Simpson team in the Kentucky Division 2A Girls' Sectionals tournament Saturday, December 16th at Warren East High School in Bowling Green. 
 
Edmonson suffered their first loss of the season and were outscored 70-33.
 
“It’s tough,” Edmonson County head coach Jody Booth said after the game. “I mean, any time you lose like that it’s tough. Franklin-Simpson is a top-three team in the 4th Region for a reason.”
 
Sticker shock aside, Edmonson County did not lay down or show frustration over the course of the game.
 
They drew first blood after 40 seconds with a three-pointer from junior guard Jenna Cook. With a couple quick lead changes, Edmonson took an early lead, 5-4, but then Franklin-Simpson went on an 8-point run until a smooth three-pointer, this time from Edmonson junior forward Julie Norris put them back in the hunt.
 
With just a few seconds left in the first quarter, the score 14-10 in favor of Franklin-Simpson, Edmonson sophomore center Cariann Williams posted up and dropped a bucket off the glass left-handed to move back within 2 points.
 
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Booth said.

Edmonson County sophomore center Cariann Williams (30) is fouled driving against Franklin-Simpson in the KHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Warren East High School Saturday December 16 in Bowling Green.

Edmonson County freshman guard Shelby Sowders (50) drives into traffic against Franklin-Simpson in the KHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Warren East High School Saturday December 16 in Bowling Green.

Edmonson County junior guard Jenna Cook (3) shoots a 3-pointer against Franklin-Simpson in the KHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Warren East High School Saturday December 16 in Bowling Green.

​In the second quarter, Franklin-Simpson started to pull away, holding on to a 9-point lead for most of the quarter until just over 2:30 remaining in the half when they began to create some real distance. Slowly at first, but by the end of the half, the score was 33-16 with Edmonson down.
 
They have had the same coach for a few years, and players who have bought into the system and “you’ve got two bigs that are almost unstoppable,” that’s what they do, Booth said.
 
“They are so aggressive and we just haven’t seen that,” Booth said. “That’s what’s going to make us better though. We are gonna keep our heads up, stay positive, use it as a learning tool and just know we have to get stronger with the ball. Fundamental stuff. We’ll be fine.”
 
He was proud of his team for not getting visibly frustrated during the game, he said.
 
“We are sitting at 7-1, just played in the 2A Championship against a really good team, and we we’re sitting as a (predicted) maybe 8,9,10 in our region, we’re not frustrated, we’re gonna move on, use it to learn,” Booth said.
 
They have a busy week next week so they can’t put their heads down and worry, he said.

Edmonson County junior guard Kennadi Swihart (12) moves the ball up court against Franklin-Simpson in the KHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Warren East High School Saturday December 16 in Bowling Green.

Edmonson County senior guard Chaney Browning (25) shoots a jumper against Franklin-Simpson in the KHSAA 2A Sectional Championship at Warren East High School Saturday December 16 in Bowling Green.

The unofficial stats according to the Edmonson Voice Live broadcast had Williams with a double-double, hoisting 17 points and reeling in 11 rebounds. Freshman guard Shelby Sowders had 5 points and three rebounds, junior guard Kennadi Swihart fouled out with 4 points and three rebounds, and Cook had 3 points and four rebounds. The Lady Cats shot an unusually low amount of attempts, going 12-32 from the field at 37.5% while Franklin-Simpson shot 46% at 27 for 59.
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Next week the Lady Cats return to action for the Rafferty’s/Double Dogs Caveland Classic hosted at Edmonson County High School Wednesday Dec. 20 at 12:45 p.m. in Brownsville. All ECHS games will be broadcast on the Voice.