-
Wildcats junior Aden Merrill rises above the Nicholas County defense for the jumper during their district semifinal game. Photo by Sam McClanahan. -
Wildcat junior Aden Merrill, named to the all-tournament team. Photos taken by Sam McClanahan. -
Wildcat senior Alex Beyst, named to the all-tournament team. Photos taken by Sam McClanahan.
By: Sam McClanahan
The Pendleton County Wildcats are returning to the 10th Region Tournament for the first time in four years following their runner-up finish at the 38th District Tournament.
The Wildcats avenged two regular season losses to Nicholas County as they defeated the Blue Jackets 57-53 in Carlisle on Feb. 27 to punch their ticket to the Fieldhouse in Maysville. Three nights later, they would fall to top-seed Harrison County 61-47, in a hard-fought battle to determine the champion of the 38th District.
Pendleton County will have a tough task waiting for them when they take on defending regional champion George Rogers Clark on Mar. 7 at 6 p.m. However, GRC will be without starting guard Malachi Ashford, as he suffered a season-ending injury during the 40th District Tournament.
The Wildcats postseason journey began with their third matchup against Nicholas County. The team showed signs of nerves early on as they struggled on offense and were held to just a single point over the first seven minutes and would trail 13-3 to begin the second quarter. Over the next eight minutes the Wildcats would claw their way back into the contest as they put together a 12-4 run to pull within four points. They would trail by just two at 21-19 going into halftime.
The third quarter saw Wildcats senior Alex Beyst get going early as he knocked down a pair of baskets followed by a four-point play (made three-pointer plus a foul shot) to give the Wildcats their first lead at 27-25 midway through the quarter. The two teams went onto exchange baskets and would be all tied up at 33 apiece at the end of the quarter. During the final eight minutes, Pendleton County would get contributions from all five of their starters as Beyst, along with Aden Merrill, Austin Kirsch, Hunter Jack and Hunter Cox all got clutch baskets down the stretch. The Wildcats also knocked down 15 free throws during the quarter and would see their lead grow to as much as nine points with two minutes to go. Nicholas County would put together one final run as they cut into the deficit over the final 90 seconds but it wouldn't be enough as Pendleton County pulled out the 57-53 victory. Beyst led the team with 20 points while Merrill added 27. Austin Kirsch narrowly missed a triple-double as he finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and an impressive 10 blocks.
On Mar. 1, the Wildcats took on Harrison County and looked to win their first district title since 2018. Early on in this contest the Thorobreds took advantage of their frontcourt size to control the rebounding battle while also knocking down multiple three-pointers to take a 16-12 first quarter lead. The second quarter would see the Thorobreds expand their lead to 27-17 heading into the break.
During the third quarter, Harrison County was able to build its lead to 35-22 before the Wildcats fought back with an 11-2 run that made it a 37-33 game. Just before the horn sounded to end the quarter, Wildcats were whistled for a foul on a near full court heave attempt by the Thorobreds. After the officiating crew gathered to discuss the play they would ultimately awards two free throws to Harrison County and the score heading into the fourth quarter would be 39-33. As the final eight minutes began, Alex Beyst would swish a three-pointer that pulled the Wildcats within three at 39-36. With their fans on their feet and cheers echoing through the gymnasium, the Wildcats looked to closing in on pulling off a giant upset. However, the Thorobreds were able to regroup and generate a game-changing run that would decide the game. Harrison County used a 9-0 run and scored 22 points overall in the quarter to win the district title, their third in a row, by a final of 61-47.
Alex Beyst would lead Pendleton County with 21 points while Merrill scored nine and freshman Hunter Keeton, in a breakout varsity performance, added eight in the lose. Following the game, Beyst and Merrill were selected to the All-Tournament team.
The Wildcats now sit at 15-17 overall heading into the 10th Region Tournament. The last time they defeated George Rogers Clark was in Dec. of 2012.