Wildcats Fight Tooth and Claw but Fall to District Rival Cougars

Cats Fall 62-55

Edmonson County junior shooting guard Tyler Wilson (1) drives to the basket against visiting District rival Grayson County Friday Jan. 24 in Brownsville.

Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
The Wildcats knew their work would be cut out for them facing the second ranked team in Region 3 of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, both their district and region rival Grayson County Cougars Friday, January 24th in Brownsville.
 
The Wildcats have not had a winning record against the Cougars and since 1998 are 18-47 against their Kentucky neighbors, according to stats curated by Edmonson Voice Live Jamie Carnes on the Wildcats Live Pregame Show.
 
Of note, the Wildcats are 15th in the state in rebounds averaging 34.4 rebounds per game, according to Carnes via KHSAA stats.
 
For the boys game, both broadcasts are available to watch again on YouTube here and Facebook here.
 
Grayson County came out strong and determined, but so did Edmonson County and the pace of the game saw lack of shots falling for both teams with the Wildcats in the lead 4-3 halfway through the first quarter.

Edmonson County junior shooting forward Owen Ruth (30) shoots a jumper against visiting District rival Grayson County Friday Jan. 24 in Brownsville.

Edmonson County senior shooting guard Kollin Doyle (22) finishes a layup against visiting District rival Grayson County Friday Jan. 24 in Brownsville.

​In fact, the score stayed 4-3 until 1:25 remained in the quarter when senior shooting guard Carter Swihart ran to the top left of the three-point line and received the ball from sophomore point guard Braden Wright. Wright immediately made a move from top of the same line down the right side of the paint to the bucket. Swihart passed the ball and the timing for an alley-oop was just off but Wright caught it in the air, landed and immediately relaunched himself placing the ball off the glass for a now 6-3 lead.
 
That is where the score would remain to end the first quarter.
 
The Cougars may have been the better team on paper but the Wildcats had other ideas and told the visitors so with a three point lead at the half, 19-16.
 
It wasn’t until the final minutes of the game when Grayson County would take the lead from Edmonson County, and without surrender, before time would run out.

Edmonson County junior shooting guard Blayne Deweese (3) shots a short jumper against visiting District rival Grayson County Friday Jan. 24 in Brownsville.

Edmonson County bench reacts after a play against visiting District rival Grayson County Friday Jan. 24 in Brownsville.

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Grayson County outscored the Wildcats 22-14 in the fourth quarter.
 
When time did run out it was the visiting Cougars over the host Wildcats 62-55.
 
Grayson County attempted 35 free throws on the evening, while Edmonson County only went to the line nine times in the physically demanding contest according to stats curated Edmonson Voice Live Darren Doyle.
 
They made a couple mistakes on defense and allowed the Cougars to make some easy buckets, Edmonson County Wildcats head coach Brad Meredith said after the game on the Edmonson Voice Live Post Game Show.
 
“I’m proud of my kids, you know,” Meredith said. “They battled their butts off. I wanted the win so bad for them. But I’m still so proud of ‘em.”
 
Meredith reminded his players about the last time they faced Grayson County and how far the Wildcats have improved since then, he said.
 
Edmonson County will continue to improve.
 
Their next chance for Edmonson County to show improvement will be on the road at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27th against Logan County in Russellville.