-
Ladycats head coach Patrick Kelsch talks strategy with the team during a timeout. Photo by Pete Wigginton.
By Sam McClanahan
The Pendleton County Wildcats ventured south to Gatlinburg, TN to take part in the Smokey Mountain Winter Classic, the program's first out-of-state trip since 2015.
The Wildcats first took on Trion High from Georgia on December 27 and suffered a 54-52 loss. Pendleton County led the contest 52-51 with less than a minute remaining but costly turnovers would allow Trion to go ahead with seven seconds left. Following a timeout, the Wildcats final possession resulted in a missed shot near the basket as the team let one slip away. Three Wildcats scores double-figures as senior Hunter Cox led the way with 17. Alex Beyst would finish with 15 and Aden Merrill posted 13.
On December 28, the Wildcats rebounded with a 61-45 win over Bullitt Central. This time it would be Beyst taking top scoring honors with 20 points. Merrill produced 15 points and center Austin Kirsch put together a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
"We got off to a red-hot start but cooled off and were able to pull out a good win," said Wildcats assistant coach Jackson Strong. "We battled through adversity and played good enough to win," he added.
Due to early holiday deadline, the Wildcats third and final game in Gatlinburg will be recapped in the January 9 edition. On January 5, the Wildcats return home and host Scott High from Taylor Mill. The next day, the team travels to George Rogers Clark High to face an opponent from Benton, IL in the Tim Short Automotive Classic.