Rebels Run Past Wildcats To Snap Skid

Despite a seven-game losing streak entering Thursday’s game, Todd County Central has been making strides in recent weeks. Some of that appeared to come together as the Rebels handed Trigg County a 68-53 loss in Cadiz.

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was moved up due to the impending weather this weekend.

Todd Central used its pressure defense to force the Wildcats into 15 first-half turnovers, which the Rebels converted into 17 points.

A back-and-forth first quarter produced three ties and five lead changes before John Ross Cardwell opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to boost the Rebel lead to 17-13.

After the Wildcats cut their deficit to 23-21, the Rebels ended the first half on a 10-3 run to take a nine-point lead into the locker room.

The half was capped off by a Cardwell bucket after Trigg seemingly scored the final points of the first half. After Davaree Gude made a bucket with five seconds left, Cardwell was able to race past the Trigg defense for a bucket ahead of the horn.

Todd County Central built a 13-point lead in the third quarter, but Trigg was able to get production from its bench to cut the deficit to six points by the end of the frame. The Wildcats would get no closer as Todd began the final eight minutes on an 8-0 run and kept its lead in double digits for most of the final quarter.

Todd Central put the game away by hitting 10 of 12 shots in the fourth quarter, and they were a perfect six of six at the free throw line, outscoring the Wildcats 26-17.

Cardwell finished with 30 points and eight steals for the Rebels. Spencer Pool, who was playing in front of a large group of family members at his father’s alma mater, added 19 points and 8 rebounds.

The Rebels hit only 2 of 20 from behind the arc but were 26 of 42 on two-point shots and outscored Trigg County 50-18 in the paint, helped mostly by 28 points off 24 Trigg turnovers. Todd County Central’s ability to slash through Trigg County’s zone defense helped them get easy buckets to keep the Wildcats at bay.

Landon Swann scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Wildcats, who also got 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists from Gude and 11 points from Clay Travis.

The win snapped a two-game Todd Central losing streak against the Wildcats. The Rebels lost to Trigg last year on a last-second shot in Elkton and lead the all-time series 45-29.

The Rebels return to district play Friday night, hosting Russellville in the first meeting of the year between the two rivals. They will meet again on February 13th in Russellville.

Trigg County is scheduled to travel to Mayfield Friday night and has a home game with Stewart County, Tennessee, on Tuesday. It’ll be the third meeting of the year between the Wildcats and Rebels, with Stewart County winning the previous two.

This weekend’s snowstorm, though, could have an impact on which games are actually played next week.