The first time the Todd County Central Rebels and the Edmonson County Wildcats met this season it came down to the wire, so why should the return match Monday night in Elkton have been any different? The Rebels got through early game struggles with the Wildcats’ 3-2 zone and then survived late game free throw issues as they rallied from a double-digit first half deficit to pick up a 67-60 overtime win.
The Rebels saw Edmonson County come from four points down in the final 27 seconds of regulation to tie the game. Todd Central had a chance to win the game without the need of overtime, but Trayvon Foster’s pressured three-pointer was offline.
The Rebels scored the first two baskets of the game to take a 4-0 lead. Todd Central would be leading 7-2 when the zone seemed to suddenly take full effect. With the Rebels setting for shots from behind the 3-point line and not being able to find opportunities for Jamison Glass inside, Edmonson County ripped off 15 straight points to take a 17-7 lead. The lead would be 17-10 when the quarter came to an end.
The Rebels did knock down two threes in the first eight minutes or the hole could have been even deeper.
Edmonson County’s Braxton Highbaugh and Braden Wall got going in the second quarter and that paid for the Wildcats. The Edmonson County lead would grow to as many as 14 points at 30-16. Highbaugh and Wall combined to score 21 first-half points for Edmonson County.
The Rebels got a little momentum right before the half. Sparked by five points off the bench by Devin Schutt, the Rebels scored the final seven points of the half to trim the lead to 30-23 at the break. Todd Central big man Jamison Glass found some chances off the boards and on the break to help the Rebels get back in the game.
The momentum from the run carried over as the second half got started. Todd Central scored the first five points of the third quarter to cut the lead to 30-28 and it was ‘game on.’
The Wildcats looked to briefly have things going back in their direction, as Braden Wall scored a couple of baskets to extend the lead back to 38-31, but back came the Rebels.
A three from Preston Rager, two free throws from Jamison Glass, and a three from Trayvon Foster and the Rebels were in front for the first time in a long time at 39-38. Another Foster three a few moments later and the Rebels would take a 43-40 lead into the final quarter.
Whereas the Rebels had been content to try and shoot their way past the zone in the opening half, with their defense leading the way, they were able to get the offense going in transition which opened up the inside a bit for Glass and gave them some better looks from behind the line.
Todd Central would lead by five points on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter but could not put the Wildcats away. Braxton Highbaugh and Braden Wall kept finding ways to keep Edmonson County close.
After two Jamison Glass free throws put the Rebels up 55-51, Highbaugh buried a three to cut the lead to 55-54 with 16.5 seconds left. Devin Schutt hit one of two free throws with 14.3 seconds left to make it 56-54. Highbaugh then tied the game with 4.7 seconds to go.
The Rebels inbounded the ball, pushed it to mid-court, and called timeout to set up a final shot in regulation, but they could not get Trayvon Foster a good look at the basket.
In overtime, the Rebels knocked down just enough free throws to seal the win. The Wildcats also lost Highbaugh and Wall to fouls in the extra period taking their top two scorers out of the game. Todd Central scored the final six points of the overtime and never trailed or was tied after scoring the first three points to start the extra period.
After being limited to six first-half points, Jamison Glass scored 17 in the second half and overtime to lead the Rebels with 23 points. Trayvon Foster finished with 16 points, including three clutch 3-pointers in the second half. Preston Rager also hit double-figures with 11.
Braden Wall topped the scoring column for Edmonson County with 21 points. Braxton Highbaugh was right behind him with 20 points.
Todd Central moves to 13-8 with the win. The Rebels host Franklin-Simpson in a 13th District contest Friday night.
ECHS – 17 13 10 16 4 — 60
TCCHS – 10 13 20 13 11 — 67
Edmonson County – Wall 21, Highbaugh 20, Bass 6, Alexander 5, Anderson 4, Bates 3, Mills 1
Todd County Central – Glass 23, Foster 16, Rager 11, Schutt 6, Whitlock 6, Smith 5
