Woodcock Scores 29 As Cats Win In OT

Wildcats Defeat Warren East 71-67 

Dakota Woodcock drives up the middle against Warren East. (D. Doyle)

Dakota Woodcock, named player of the game,  paced the Wildcats with a season-high 29 points, adding several key free throws down the stretch. The Wildcats seemed to be in control the entire game with leads close to the double digit mark until about four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Coach Mike McClintic said Warren East's pressure began to wear down the Cats. "We got a little bit tired there at the end. We also had some guys in the wrong places trying to handle the ball when they shouldn't have.  We should've gotten the ball to Woody (Dakota Woodcock) a few more times. Warren East's defense picked up quite a bit towards the end of regulation and it caught us off guard, even though we knew it was coming," he said. 

For the most part, Warren East's offensive threats were kept in check throughout the game, yet they still managed to hit some key three-pointers with just a couple minutes to go. "We actually had their best shooters covered well," coach said. "They had some guys hit those big threes, and honestly, they're the guys we wanted to shoot those shots...they just stepped up and made them."

Coach McClintic pointed out that nearing the end of regulation, he saw his team playing not to lose instead of playing to win. "We were getting in that mode a little bit, but we were able to get out of that. Hopefully tonight will help us in that issue."  

Austin Sowders also had a big game, adding 18 points with a big three point play during the final stretch. Sowders took a hard hit while attempting to take a charge and was in obvious pain. "He's beat up...we all are, but he's ok. I hope these boys go home and go to bed, we need some rest," McClintic said.

Also contributing for ECHS was Chase Turley, who also hit key free throws in the final seconds (7 points, 8 rebounds), Devin Elmore (7 points, 2 rebounds), Hunter Buttram (6 points, 9 rebounds), Daniel Caudill (2 points, 3 rebounds) and Trevor Norris (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal).

The Wildcats now 7-4, face Hopkins County Central tomorrow night at 5pm in the final game of the classic. 


Darren Doyle, Story and Photos
Edmonson Voice
Granville Meredith, Contributor