Wildcats Overcome 16 Point Deficit In Second Half To Slam Warren East

Iszic Blankenship dunks against Warren East.

Darren Doyle, story and photos
The Edmonson County Wildcats poured in 35 points in the final quarter to defeat Warren East at home after trailing by 16 in the second half.

The Raiders kept a lead throughout most of the game thanks to their offensive rebounding.

"We just kept allowing them to crash the boards," said assistant coach Bart Weaver. "They got 11 points off of 9 offensive rebounds in the first half."

Warren East led 23-21 after the first and took a 41-35 lead into the locker room at the break.

Caleb Skaggs goes for 2 of his game-high 28 points in an 86-80 comeback win over Warren East.

It seemed that the third quarter would be the beginning of the end for the Wildcats as a 12-2 Raider run helped Warren East grab a hefty 16 point lead just before the start of the fourth.

After Warren East scored the first two buckets of the second half, the 35 point onslaught by the Cats began.

Daniel Caudill nailed a three pointer, Logan Lindsey scored a layup off a steal and Caleb Skaggs hit the first of two back-to-back three's to cut the Raider lead to 70-64. A quick East bucket extended the lead back to 8, but the Wildcats went on an 8-0 run, including a two-hand dunk from Iszic Blankenship that got the crowd on their feet.

"We just decided to go 'mad dog' on them," coach Weaver said. "We just came after them on our full court and East tried to dribble through it. We started causing turnovers and we converted on our end."

Bailey Board puts up 2 of his 20 points against Warren East.

Bailey Board had a few solid drives to the basket while Cole picked a Raider pocket and scored and the Wildcats took their first lead at 76-74 with just over a minute to go. Another drive and a three-point play by board put the Cats on top 79-76.

The Wildcats never trailed again as they hit their free throws down the stretch and went on for the 86-80 win.

Caleb Skaggs led the way for EC with 28 points and 5 assists, connecting on 4-three pointers, while Bailey Board added 20 points and 7 rebounds. 

Tucker Cole had 13 points and 5 assists and Iszic Blankenship had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Tucker Cole drives against Warren East.

Also helping the Cats was Daniel Caudill with 7 points and 4 rebounds, Brayden Carey had 3, and Logan Lindsey scored 2.

The Wildcats are scheduled to take on the Trinity Raiders Tuesday night in Whitesville in a district 12 girl/boy doubleheader beginning at 6pm. WildcatsLive will bring you live action starting around 5:50pm.

Edmonson County is now 10-7 on the season.