By Sam McClanahan
The Pendleton County Wildcats basketball team concluded a busy and memorable week picking up two wins in four games. The team was also able to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity during a road trip to Indiana.
The Wildcats began last week hosting Holmes High from Covington. The Bulldogs are now coached by former Wildcats head coach Sam Elsbernd and entered the matchup with nine wins, more than their past two season's combined. Holmes would lead the game 13-5 after the first quarter as the Pendleton County offense struggled to get going until midway through the second quarter. Sophomore Kamden O'Hara knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to cap off an 18-8 Wildcats run to close the quarter and tie the game at 26 apiece going into the break.
The third quarter saw both squads battle as neither team could gain a comfortable lead. Holmes would knock down a triple just before the horn at the end of the quarter to take a 48-45 advantage to start the fourth quarter. In the final eight minutes the Wildcats would get key baskets from O'Hara, senior Aden Merrill and a pair of big free throws from Dawson Nichols to pull out a 61-56 win. Merrill led the way with 23 points. O'Hara drained five triples to finish with 15 and sophomore Hunter Keeton added eight.
On January 28, Pendleton County traveled to Mt. Olivet to face district foe Robertson County. Head coach Mason Monroe missed the contest due to illness and varsity assistant Jackson Strong served as acting head coach. Strong would guide the Wildcats to a lopsided victory as the team posted a season-best 96 points in winning 96-45.
10 different Wildcats got into the scoring book as Merrill led with 21, sophomore Ja'Zi Grayson finished with 16, Keeton had 13, O'Hara posted 12, Alex Mosley knocked down three trey's to finish with nine, Brayden Marquette totaled eight points to go with nine rebounds, Parker McCandless scored six, Micah Biddle added five, Caleb Biddle scored four and senior Luke Gregg, returning to action from injury; added two points to rounding out the scoring.
On January 31, the Wildcats hosted district rival Nicholas County looking to wrap up a season sweep of the Yellow Jackets. Pendleton County jumped out to a 9-2 advantage before Nicholas County closed the quarter on a 12-4 run to lead to head into the second quarter with a 14-13 lead. The two teams would trade the lead throughout the second quarter with the Wildcats getting the upper hand as Brayden Marquette grabbed an offensive rebound and was able to score under the basket just as the buzzer sounded for halftime. Wildcats would lead 33-32.
The third quarter saw both teams make runs as Nicholas County scored six quick points to go ahead by one before Pendleton County responded with an 8-0 run of their own to regain the lead midway through the period. The Yellow Jackets would close out the quarter strong and enjoy a 52-45 advantage going into the fourth quarter. During the final eight minutes both teams traded punches reminiscent of a heavyweight title bout. Kamden O'Hara swished three triples and Hunter Keeton added one of his own to keep the Wildcats within striking distance. Nicholas County came back to go ahead 68-61 with under two minutes to play. Pendleton County answered with a quick 7-0 run punctuated by a three-point play by Marquette to pull the team within one. Unfortunately, the Wildcats would not be able to complete the rally as the Yellow Jackets scored the final five points to leave Falmouth with a 73-68 win. O'Hara led Pendleton County with 18 points (six made three-pointers), Merrill added 17, Keeton posted 11 and Marquette finished with nine.
The Wildcats concluded the week traveling via charter bus to Knightsdale, IN to take on Campbell County at the historic "Hoosier Gym", site of the legendary 1986 basketball motion picture, Hoosiers.
Prior to the game, the team was able to explore and enjoy the history, memorabilia, and experience the aura of the venue. Outside the entrance is the original 1939 Chevrolet team bus used by the Hickory Huskers. As the game got underway, the Wildcats and Camels produced an exciting first quarter that saw the teams battle to an 18-18 all tie. Campbell County would then seize control as they scored 15 consecutive points to open up a 33-18 advantage. The Camels would go onto outscore the Wildcats 29-7 in the quarter to take a commanding 47-25 lead into halftime. In the second half, it would continue to be all Camels as they rolled to a 81-57 victory. Aden Merrill and Ja'Zi Grayson led the Wildcats with 13 points each and Luke Gregg added eight.
Wildcats head coach Mason Monroe shared his thoughts on the team's overall performance over the four-game stretch.
"2-2 this past week. We did a good job on Monday versus Holmes controlling the pace of the game after our cold first quarter. The guys stayed composed and executed our game plan. I missed the following two days due to illness. My staff, Jackson Strong, Clay Monroe, and Travis Keeton did a great job taking care of business in our district matchup versus Robertson County. Everyone shared the ball and got good minutes. Those games are important for our team. Nicholas County last Friday was one we were hoping to get. Their size is definitely something we struggled with. Another questionable officiated game during district seeding. I hope we are finally past that moving forward into our final two matchups and postseason play. We took off to Indiana on Saturday and took on Campbell County in the famous Hoosier Gym. It was an incredible experience for our team. Just being there makes your feel like you're in the movie. We hung an old Pendleton Jersey in the locker room so we will forever be a part of Hoosier history.
We have another four game week this week. It's important we manage guys minutes and monitor their fatigue. Friday and Saturday are must win games to have a chance at the number one seed," Monroe said.
The Wildcats traveled to Anderson County last night, and will host Augusta tonight. On February 7, the team travels to face Harrison County and will end the week hosting Robertson County on February 8 at 5:00 p.m.