THOMAS AT THE BUZZER: Lady Maroons win 47th District title

Feb. 29—MT. VERNON — Haunted by memories of the last time they faced Rockcastle County at Rock Arena, a two-point loss at the buzzer, the Lady Maroons were hoping for better results on Wednesday night as they faced off against the Lady Rockets with the 47th District title hanging in the balance. Another classic ending was awaiting both teams, with the atmosphere matching the hype following this matchup.

If you're a fan of classic, defense-heavy basketball, this was the game for you, as neither team could manage much offense throughout the ball game with a ton of missed shots. However, the ending in overtime was the stuff of legends, as a buzzer-beating shot, made by Brooklyn Thomas, handed Pulaski a 44-43 victory for the district title. Head coach Chris Adkins after the game was short on words but one could tell how excited he was for his team.

"We just kept trying. That final play wasn't exactly how we drew it up, but sometimes, players just make plays," he explained.

The first points of the game came midway through the first quarter courtesy of two made free throws from junior Markley Richards. Sydney Martin put in the first field goal of the game to tie the game up. Back-to-back threes from sophomore Taylor King and senior Camryn Cash brought the home team's lead up to 8-2 and spelled some early danger for the Maroons. Maggie Holt was able to get to the basket and was fouled, giving her two shots at the charity stripe which she converted. Martin had a traditional three-point play late in the quarter, but Pulaski still trailed 12-7 after the first.

To their credit, Pulaski came roaring back in the second period, all thanks to their senior leader in Martin, as she hit three shots from deep in a row to completely flip the ball game on its head as the Lady Maroons now led 16-12. Sophomore Macy Spivey cut that lead down to one following a three-point play before McKaila Monroe got one to fall close to the basket shortly before the end of the half, giving Pulaski a 18-15 lead heading into the break.

Pulaski once again went cold to begin the third quarter, but luckily both Thomas and Martin made some timely free throws to keep the Maroons slightly out in front. The Lady Rockets went on a 7-0 run, with Spivey scoring five and senior Talynne Shearer scoring the other two, to get back on top 26-22. However, Martin and Madeline Butcher closed the quarter with free throws to tie the game back up at 26-26 heading into the final eight minutes, of regulation at least.

A three from King began the fourth and flipped the lead back to the home team. Martin locked in and scored four in a row to tie the game back up, before a massive three from Thomas gave the Maroons the lead back at 33-30 with time dwindling in the contest. Traded buckets from King and Monroe kept the Pulaski lead at three late, before King went 3-4 from the line to tie the game up at 35-35. Martin came up with a huge block as the Rockets had the ball to end the game, preventing a final shot and sending the game to overtime, just as the boys did with Rockcastle a night before.

Shearer started out the overtime period with a basket plus a foul for the chance to go up three points, but she missed the free throw. Thomas tied the game up before Spivey flipped the lead back. A steal from Martin gave her a shot at a three-point play which she successfully converted, giving her team a 40-39 lead. A foul was called on Shearer in which she knocked Butcher down to the floor, allowing the Maroons a chance to increase their lead. Unfortunately, a technical foul was called on Holt on the same play, not only giving her a fifth foul to put her out of the game but also giving the Lady Rockets two free throws plus possession. Butcher hit both of her free throws and King hit both of the technical free throws to bring the Rockets within one point.

A basket from Shearer put Rockcastle ahead 43-42 and with only about 10 seconds left in the game, it looked like the Rockets might have stole the district title from the defending champions. However, Thomas came up with the biggest play of the game, as she shot a three, rebounded her own miss and put it back up off the glass, with her put-back attempt leaving her finger tips with .1 seconds left on the clock, and the shot was good! The Lady Maroons stormed the court as no one in the arena could believe what just happened, with Pulaski winning their second-straight 47th District crown 44-43. Thomas was exhilarated following her clutch basket.

"I knew the time was running out and we had to score. When I shot the three I knew that I had missed, so I just sprinted to the ball so we could get another chance to score. I knew I had to throw it up as quick as I could once I got the rebound, and all I saw was the ball hitting the backboard once I fell to the ground. I saw everybody celebrating, so I knew we were district champs! My first thoughts were thank you God and that we did it, we didn't give up! I guess all those years playing 21 tip with my dad paid off," she described.

The Lady Maroons were led by Martin with 25 points and Thomas with nine, including the game-winning basket. Other scorers included Monroe and Butcher with four apiece and Holt with two. Rockcastle was led by King with 17 points.

The 47th District All-Regular Season team was announced following the game, with Chelsea Reed and Elizabeth Forbes representing Casey County, Sophie Barnes and Sarah White representing Somerset, Shearer, King, Spivey and Cash representing Rockcastle and Martin, Holt, Butcher and Thomas representing Pulaski.

Pulaski sits at 24-7 for the year and will now await their draw, along with Rockcastle County, for the 12th Region Tournament to begin next week at Lincoln County.

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