Patriots Cap Week with Edmonson Win

   Scottie basketball coach James Willett could only watch last season as his team suffered through a long season—a season beset by injuries. This season, a healthy line-up brought Glasgow into Patriot Gym last week with nine wins, more than double their win total from the 2016-17 season. Despite 40 points from the combined efforts of Jaden Franklin and Kobe Brents, Glasgow still needed a strong second half to pull away from AC-S. 

   Patriot guard Brett Rippy scored the first eight points of the night for AC-S, enabling the Patriots to be within a point by the 2:56 mark of the opening frame. As the Scotties adjusted to slow Rippy, Marcus Carter added a pair of back-to-back buckets, the second giving the hosts a 12-11 lead with just under a minute left in the first quarter. Franklin’s lay-in gave the Scotties the lead before a jumper from Bryce Carter lifted the Patriots to a 14-13 lead after the first.

   Hoops by Rippy and Bryce Carter lifted AC-S to an 18-16 lead early in the second. A jumper from Franklin and a bucket by Scottie Kris Horn enabled Glasgow to retake the lead. Cayden Ross countered with a pair of free throws, bringing AC-S even at 20 at the 3:49 point of the second---the last points AC-S would score for the almost five minutes. A pair of Brents three-pointers and a free throw by Franklin propelled Glasgow to a 7-0 run to close the first half.

   The Patriots did not have an answer for Franklin in the first six minutes of the third. The Glasgow sophomore scored nine points in the first six minutes of the third. By the time teammate Peyto Mills buried a jumper late in the third, Glasgow had stretched their seven-point halftime lead to 10, 38-28.

   AC-S mounted a slight charge to start the fourth. After Glasgow opened a 12-point lead, Rippy buried a three-pointer, the defense made a stop, and Sam Clarke sank a jumper to trim the Glasgow lead to seven, 40-33, with 5:52 left. The Scotties responded on their next possession as Delvin Smith canned a three to push the lead back to 10. Smith’s bucket ignited a 10-0 run that all but closed out the game. The Scotties finished the game outscoring the Patriots 19-5 in the final five minutes. 

   Rippy was the only Patriot to reach double-figures. The junior finished with 16 points on six of 14 shooting. His night included a free throw and three 3-pt jumpers. Clarke added eight points. Marcus Carter led AC-S with nine rebounds.

   AC-S was 15 of 39 from the floor (38.5%) while Glasgow made 22 of 46 shots (47.8%). The Patriots went four of five from the foul line with Glasgow making six of 10 free throws.

   Friday, Rippy scored 17 of the Patriots’ 31 second-half point but his efforts were not enough against the big three offensive weapons of Monroe County. The play of Ben Massingille (21 points), Billy Michael Dyer (18 points) and Chandler Clements (14 points) proved to be too much for AC-S. 

   The Patriots started the night strong. Early free throws by Marcus Carter, hot-shooting from Rippy, and a lay-in by Clarke lifted AC-S to a 9-7 lead by the 2:51 point of the first period. The Patriots went cold at that point. Monroe answered with a 6-0 run to close the first quarter. The Falcons scored the first five points of the secong, capping an 11-0 outburst that enabled the guests to pull away to an 18-9 lead.

   After six minutes without a point, Clarke swished a three at the 4:19 mark of the second---a basket that proved to be the only field goal in the second quarter for AC-S. By halftime, Monroe County led 21-15.

   The Falcons used an 18-9 third period to gradually stretch their lead. Leading 40-24 to start the final period, the Falcons appeared in control but AC-S would mount a rally. Buckets by Rippy and Marcus Carter carried the Patriots on a 7-0 run to start the fourth. However, as quick as the Patriots cut the Falcons’ lead to under 10, Monroe County stretched their lead back to 15. Threes from Dyer and Massingille enabled the Falcons to sieve control and go on to post the win. 

   The loss overshadowed Rippy’s solid 24-point night. The junior went nie of 12 from the floor, made a trip of 3’s, and went three of four at the line. Marcus Carter added 11 and shared team-high rebounding honors with Rippy (4). 

   The Patriots were 15-37 from the field compared to a 21-29 shooting night for the Falcons. AC-S went 12-15 at the foul line while Monroe County was 16-20. Monroe County (11-5) out rebounded AC-S 27-25.

   AC-S bounced back Saturday with a seven-point win over Edmonson County. For the Patriots, the night belonged to senior Clarke who finished with a career-high 17 points and a personal-best eight rebounds. Clarke also recorded four steals. Clarke made six of his 12 shots, landed three 3’s, and went two for three at the foul line. 

   Clarke’s two first quarter 3’s along side a pair of baskets from Bryce Carter helped AC-S open a 15-11 lead after the first frame. Cold shooting took over as AC-S would miss nine of their next 10 shots. Outside a Clarke three-pointer, only a pair of free throws by Rippy would be the scoring in the second. AC-S owned a slim 20-19 lead at the break.

   The Patriots used a 14-5 run in the first six minutes of the third to take control. Buckets from Marcus Carter, a three-from Owen Stamper, and six points from Clarke lifted the hosts to a 34-24 lead. Again, defensive lapses allowed Edmonson to go on a 6-0 run to pull within a half dozen, 36-30, by the end of the third.

   AC-S secured the win with timely baskets and free throws in the final eight minutes. Buckets from Cayden Ross and Rippy helped AC-S build a 13-point lead by the 5:53 mark. The Wildcats rallied to close within six on three occasions the rest of the way. However, free throws from Rippy and key defensive stops carried the Patriots to their six win of the year.

   The Patriots finished the game 15 of 32 from the floor and 15 of 19 at the free throw strip. Edmonson County (3-14) was 15-41 from the floor and four of nine at the line. AC-S won the boards 32-18.

   AC-S (6-10) will face Glasgow (12-3) in their second regular season match-up Friday night at 6 p.m. at Glasgow High School. Saturday, weather permitting, the Patriots will play the Nelson County Cardinals (4-11) in the Iron Warrior Classic at Pulaski Southwestern in Somerset. Next Tuesday, AC-S travels to Butler County (6-8).