Wildcats Battle Back For Second Comeback Win In A Row

Bailey Board takes heavy contact as he puts up a shot against Trinity.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle photos:
With back-to-back comeback wins, several Wildcat fans are starting to call this Edmonson County team the "Comeback Cats," just like the 1998 Kentucky Wildcats who earned a reputation for getting behind early then turning it on towards the end of a game. Another term that's becoming popular? "Mad Dog" defense. That's where it's a no-holds-barred, gambling blitz in which the defensive players converge on the offense with little or no regard for human life. Well, not really, but it's pretty intense, and it's helped Edmonson County dig out of deficits for two wins a row, including last night's huge 56-49 district win against Trinity.

Finding themselves down 10 points in the middle of the third, the Wildcats simply started turning things around with tougher defense and hitting shots. They went on a 10-2 run to finish out the quarter on Caleb Skaggs' off balance, three-pointer off the glass as time expired.

Until that run, Wildcat fans were frustrated as loose balls and rebounds seemed to always end up in the hands of the Raiders. Although it appeared that Edmonson County's effort was top notch, they were struggling to see results.

"Trinity wanted it more than us in the first half," said assistant coach Bart Weaver. "That's on us, it's on our kids, us as coaches, on all of us. They wanted it more for about three quarters."

Fortunately for the Wildcats, basketball games are four quarters, and Edmonson County needed all of them as they went ahead on Daniel Caudill's offensive rebound after a missed free throw by Tucker Cole and put it up and in for a 49-48 lead with just over four minutes to go. The Wildcats never trailed again.

Caleb Skaggs puts up a three pointer against Trinity.

Bailey Board led the offense for the Wildcats with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Caleb Skaggs was the other Wildcat in double figures with 15 points.

Also helping in the effort was Tucker Cole, who added 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, Iszic Blankenship with 5 points and 7 rebounds, and Daniel Caudill with 6 points and 5 rebounds.

Daniel Caudill puts up a shot against Trinity in the Wildcats' final appearance in 'the barn.'

"Our kids were diving and hustling the whole game," said Weaver. "But it just seemed like in the first half, we couldn't even hold on to a rebound. Things just weren't going right, and most of the time, you're supposed to lose those games. Our kids just kept fighting and we played 'mad dog' for about three quarters and just got after it."

​The Wildcats are now 11-7 on the season and 4-0 against District 12 opponents. They are scheduled to play Butler County this Friday at ECHS in a girl/boy doubleheader Homecoming Game. WildcatsLive will carry both games beginning at 5:50pm.