Wildcats Hang On To Upset Bears, 71-69

Trace Taylor avoids a Butler County defender in a shot attempt on January 22, 2022.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
Wildcat Head Coach Brad Johnson had some specific things in mind as the team traveled to Butler County last night for a district 12 match up and he knew it would take the Cats doing all those things if the boys were to upset the Bears (11-5). That's exactly what happened and Edmonson County grabbed a district win on the road last night, led by Trace Taylor's 26 points.

Edmonson County shot 62% from the field (29-47), 70% from the free throw line, committed only 9 turnovers, and shot 40% from behind the three point line (6-15). The biggest difference in this game was that the Wildcats executed when they needed to. When they needed a big shot, they made it. When they needed a free throw, they hit it. When it was time for a defensive stop, they got it, and when the buzzer sounded, they were the ones coming out on top.

Braxton Highbaugh goes for two of his 11 points against Butler County.

"We were down a couple guys that I have a lot of confidence in. You know Zander (Bass) and Jarrett (Prunty), they've bought in to what I'm trying to do and nobody's happier than those two tonight, I guarantee you that," Coach Johnson said. "We have talked about it until they're blue in the face and at halftime I said 'ok, here you are, what are you going to do?' In the third quarter, 'here we are again, what are we going to do? Are we going to do something about it?'"

The score was tied at 33 at the half and tied again at 49 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The score was tied once more at 53 with 6 minutes to play. Edmonson County went on a 10-2 run that gave the Cats a 63-55 lead with 2:21 to go. Despite a couple of turnovers and some made baskets by Butler County, some in the final minute, the run would be enough to thwart off the Bears as they never trailed again.

Evan Stice puts up a three-pointer against Butler County.

Taylor also added 8 rebounds to his team-high 26 points. Braxton Highbaugh scored 11 points and pulled 7 rebounds. Braden Wall added 9 points and 8 rebounds. Evan Stice added 8 points, Cole Saling added 7, Wil Alexander added 6, and Tyler Anderson scored 4 points. Anderson also took two charges for the team in the 4th quarter that helped keep the momentum on the Wildcats' side.

Edmonson County is now 10-9 on the season and is scheduled to take on Central Hardin at home on Tuesday, January 25th in a JV/V match beginning at 6PM.