Edmonson County Boys’ basketball update Wildcats gearing up for 12th District Tourney
Photo by T. Wampler, JPI Sports – Edmonson County Wildcat head coach Brad Meredith draws up a play during a timeout in their game Metcalfe County Hornets.
By T. Wampler
JPI Sports
The Edmonson County High School boys’ basketball program has a new coach for the second year in a row. Coach Brad Meredith inherited a team that finished with an overall record of 14 – 16 and went 3-5 in District 12. The Wildcats are well on their way to surpass last season’s win total.
ECHS was 9-5 at just about the halfway point of the season (1-14-25). The Wildcats got their season off to an exciting start with a 68-67 victory on the road over the Owensboro Knights Christian. Kollin Doyle dropped an impressive 25 points in that season opening victory. Owen Ruth reached double figures with 14 points. Braden Wright chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds. Braxton Lindsey and Carter Swihart led the team in rebounds with 8 boards each.
ECHS also has wins over Fort Knox, Nelson County, Allen County-Scottsville, Webster County, Morgan, John Hardin, and Trigg County including winning two of three of their games in the Rafferty’s/Double Dogs Caveland Classic.
Their only district loss so far this season was to Grayson County, who Coach Meredith named as one of the top 3 teams in Region 3. He also said Butler County was picked as the favorite to win District 12 in a preseason interview, but said every game would be a battle.
The rest of their District 12 games are at the back end of the season.
The Wildcats hosted the Metcalfe County Hornets on January 14, the cut off for this update, and came away with a victory. In an exciting game that was a seesaw battle until the home team pulled away in the 4th quarter. The Wildcats defeated the Hornets 75-66.
Braden Wright led all scorers with 25 points. Wright had a phenomenal night shooting from the field. He was 10 of 13 for 76.9% including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Photo by T. Wampler, JPI Sports – Metcalfe County Hornet #31, Braden Page, defends Wildcat #3, Blayne Deweese, as he launches a long-range jumper.
Blayne Deweese had 15 points for the Wildcats. Kollin Doyle reached double figures with 12 points. Tyler Wilson chipped in 8 points and Ben Sanders added 6 points. Carter Swihart had 5 points and Owen Ruth added 5 points to round out the home teams’ scoring. Owen and Wright led the team in rebounds with 6 boards each. Wilson, Doyle, and Braxtin Lindsey each had 5 rebounds.
Coach Brad Meredith inherited a team that finished with an overall record of 14 – 16 and went 3-5 in District 12. The Wildcats are well on their way to surpass 14 wins this season, but it will not be easy.
The Wildcats have played a tough schedule, and the second half of the season will be a challenge too, in and out of District 12.
Coach Meredith has continued to work his rotation and has found several players that are giving him valuable minutes. He felt like in his preseason assessment, that the Wildcats could go 8 or 9 deep. Coach Meredith went to his bench early against Metcalfe and did a superb job in substituting when 2 of his starters got 2 fouls early.
The team responded by having 8 different players score and 7 different players pull down rebounds. Meredith lamented this year’s team lack of size, but his team does a great job blocking out and getting in position to rebound on both the offensive and defensive end.
The Wildcats are not afraid to push the basketball up the court and create a strong offense off their defense, something Coach Meredith said they would need to do this season to be successful.
The Wildcats can also set up in a half court offense and work to find the open man. They have several players that can penetrate and handle the basketball against pressure. Coach Meredith has done an excellent job pulling the Wildcats together as a team in his first season.
Look for Edmonson County to peak at just the right time and play their best in the 12th District tourney, and hopefully, earn a berth in the 3rd Region Tournament.
