Somerset edges Pulaski late in crosstown thriller

Dec. 15—The Maroons and the Briar Jumpers, two of the best teams in the 12th Region, met at the Big House (PC Gymnasium) on Friday night in what could be a preview of this year's regional title game, on the same floor it is set to be played on no less. The gym was packed and those expecting a great game got their money's worth as both teams looked every bit of regional title contenders. Due to some late free throws, it was the Briar Jumpers that took round one of this rivalry and handed their crosstown foes their very first loss of the season, as Somerset defeated Pulaski by a final score of 49-47.

Jamison Coomer got the scoring off fast for the Jumpers, before a made free throw and two-pointer from Will Blankenship gave the Maroons an early lead. Pulaski built on that lead with a three-pointer drained by Jalen Wooldridge, and that wasn't the last time Wooldridge would be called upon from deep in the ball game. Ben Godby got into the scoring action with a made three to make the score 6-5 and both offenses were off to a fast start.

Both teams traded buckets over the final minutes of the first quarter, with an offensive put-back from Godby putting the Jumpers behind by just one. An offensive put-back on the other end from Zak Anderson before the buzzer gave the home team a 12-9 edge heading into the second period.

Gavin Cook hit a two to increase the Pulaski lead to five to begin the second before the offense of the Jumpers began to shine with a quick 11-0 run to completely flip momentum in the contest, with Somerset taking a 20-14 lead. Indred Whitaker had four points on this run, with Aedyn Absher also connecting from long range.

As soon as it felt like Pulaski's control on the game was slipping, Wooldridge hit two shots from way downtown to immediately tie the game back up at 20-20. A late three from Whitaker brought the Somerset lead back to five before three straight points from Anderson near the end of the half. It was the Jumpers taking a 27-23 lead into the break though after a shot made from Kole Grundy.

Godby began the second half with a made basket before five straight from Wooldridge, including another three, made the score 29-28 in favor of the Jumpers. Pulaski was keeping the game close but every time it seemed like the Maroons were fixing to make a run, the Jumpers would answer.

After another three from Absher, the Maroons finally took the lead back at 35-34 after yet another triple from Wooldridge, who was having one of his best games in a Maroon uniform. However, that lead did not last long, as shots from Josh Bruner and Whitaker ended the quarter for Somerset as they took a 38-35 lead.

This was the type of grind-it-out game that teams have to win come postseason, and neither team was backing down entering the fourth quarter. After Godby opened the scoring with a two, a made three from Cook brought the Somerset advantage down to just 40-38. Whitaker immediately answered back with a three of his own to make the score 43-38 midway through the period.

Pulaski inched within one point after a made shot from Anderson and a free throw made by Cook, but once again that was answered by a basket from Whitaker. A huge play from Anderson saw him score three the hard way to tie up the game 46-46 late in the contest. Godby came up clutch with the heroics though, as he sliced through the lane and made a shot at the rim to give Somerset a two-point lead. A made free throw from Wooldridge made the score 48-47 with less than a minute left. Bruner then scored the last point of the contest on a free throw and then missed the second intentionally with less than a second on the clock as Somerset came up with the huge victory against Pulaski 49-47.

It was a hard-fought game on both sides, and head coach of the Jumpers Ryan Young was just thankful to come away with the victory at the Big House.

"It was a gritty effort by both teams. We didn't play well early, and I credit Pulaski for their defensive effort. I thought our kids were just grinding it out down the stretch. We have to keep working and get much better with our offensive execution, but any win in the Big House is a nice W," he exclaimed.

The Jumpers were led in scoring by 18 points from Godby and 16 points from Whitaker. Other scorers included Absher with six, Grundy with four, Bruner with three and Coomer with two.

The Maroons were led by 18 points from Wooldridge and 12 from Anderson. Cook had eight points, while the scoring was wrapped up with seven from Blankenship and two from Ethan Idlewine.

Somerset improves to 6-1 for the season and will be in action again next Wednesday as they begin play in the WinCity Holiday Classic hosted by George Rogers Clark. The Jumpers will square off against Rowan County at 7:45 p.m.

Pulaski falls to 6-1 and will be back in action next Wednesday as well, as they travel to take part in the Gateway Holiday Classic hosted by Montgomery County. The Maroons will take on the hosting Indians with tip time still to be announced.

Jacob Pratt is the Sports Editor of the Commonwealth Journal and can be reached at jpratt@somerset-kentucky.com.