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Tredyn Thomas
It wasn’t pretty, but the job still got done. The Pendleton County Wildcats traveled to play Bourbon County on Feb. 9 and behind a strong second half effort were able to rally in the fourth quarter to earn their fourth straight win.
This has become a theme for this hard-nosed and resilient squad led by head coach Sam Elsbernd. Do enough to stay around, give it everything you have on the defensive end of the floor and put yourself in position to win the game in the fourth quarter. After scoring just 15 points in the first half, the Wildcats tallied 14 points in the third quarter to keep things close. Senior Tredyn Thomas got going as he scored four quick points and Braydon Kidwell along with Mason Askren also scores key baskets to help Pendleton County erase an eight-point deficit.
The fourth saw an exciting finish as both clubs traded baskets throughout the final eight minutes. Tredyn Thomas tied things up at 35 after converting a layup with three minutes to go. After Bourbon County scored to go back up by two, Wildcat senior Noah Barnard drained a huge three that gave his team the lead 38-37 with 1:25 remaining. Bourbon County quickly answered back with a bucket of their own and Wildcat Jacob Redden regained the lead with an offensive rebound and putback to give his team the lead for good 40-39 with 50 seconds left. Tredyn Thomas went on to sink a pair of clutch free throws with 14 seconds and on the final possession, Bourbon County missed a game-tying three as time expired. Pendleton County secured another comeback win, 42-39.
Tredyn Thomas led all scorers with a game-high 20 points as the Wildcats notched the win despite poor outside shooting.
“2/21 from three but we still found a way to get it done, that’s a testament to how hard we work on the defensive end,” said Coach Elsbernd. “Offensively, we shared the ball well and got good looks but they just didn’t fall. Noah and Mason made the two biggest ones we needed. Tredyn was the best player on the floor and he acted like it. I just really like this team, they have no quit in them and are a tough group of guys,” Elsbernd added.
Pendleton County was to host Paris and Augusta last week but those games were cancelled due to inclement weather. The scheduled games for this week are in serious jeopardy as well as more snow has been forecasted. Coach Elsbernd knows that if circumstances could be different, his squad would be receiving well-deserved local support from the Wildcat faithful.
“It’s a real shame we have to limit tickets and have this bad weather hit right now. Our home gym would’ve been rockin’ these last few home games!”