HOME SWEET HOME: Lady Maroons breeze past Hazard

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County junior Madeline Butcher (20) splits a pair of defenders and attempts to hit a shot near the basket during the Maroons' 67-42 victory over Hazard on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

SOMERSET - For the first time in 2025, the Pulaski County Lady Maroons returned to "The Big House" on Friday evening, looking to build momentum ahead of a colossal district clash against Rockcastle County on Monday. It had been over two weeks since the Maroons were at home, and despite the Lady Bulldogs of Hazard threatening the home team early in the first quarter, at the end of the evening it was all smiles for Pulaski as they ran away with a 67-42 victory.

Madeline Butcher, or you may know her by her nickname 'Madpup,' received a game ball before the start of the contest for reaching 1,000 points for her career. Despite the good vibes after honoring not only a great player but an even better person, the Bulldogs rode back-to-back baskets from Maddi Frohnapfel and Braylynn Eddington to a quick 4-0 lead. Fittingly, Butcher scored the first two of the contest for the home team after a steal and quick layup. After a basket inside from Bella Stevens and the first three of the ball game being drilled by Taylen Ralston, all of a sudden the Maroons were on top 7-4 after scoring seven straight points.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County sophomore Bella Stevens (left) battles for possession of the ball during the Maroons' victory over Hazard on Friday night.

Kailey Pennington broke up the scoring run by the Maroons before Butcher had another two points. Hannah Murray scored four straight to push her team's lead up to 13-6, and after ratcheting up the defensive pressure, the Lady Bulldogs were forced to call a timeout. Pulaski was able to go on a 13-2 run over the final few minutes of the quarter, with Ralston nailing a three-pointer right before the buzzer, to take a 20-8 advantage after the first period.

Eddington scored the first two of the second quarter before Lilee Todd scored her first three points of the contest. After Murray and Eddington traded baskets, Malia Bullock was able to come off the bench and hit her first shot for two. Eddington soon had another two inside the paint as she continued a great second quarter before Bullock hit a shot from long range to push the Maroons' lead to nearly 20 points.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County junior Hannah Murray (25) goes up for a layup attempt through the contact during the Maroons' contest against Hazard on Friday.

Butcher and Laura Everidge both hit three-pointers late in the quarter as both offenses began to hit shots at will. But Butcher ruled this quarter at least, as she went on a 9-3 run by herself to close the first half, including scoring six straight to end the second quarter, and bombed a three from deep to send the Maroons to the locker room with a dominant 41-20 lead.

Ralston started off play in the third period by hitting a shot while being fouled, although she missed the ensuing free throw. Pulaski really took control after a make from Frohnapfel, as Stevens had an offensive rebound and two and Todd drilled a three to give Pulaski a 48-22 advantage. Eddington had four straight points in an attempt to give the Bulldogs some sort of offensive momentum, but it was a run by the Maroons that soon put the ball game out of reach.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County senior Taylen Ralston (1) and junior Hannah Murray (25) attempt to force a turnover on the defensive end of the court during the Maroons' game against Hazard.

Following a basket from Caroline Heist, Ralston was able to hit two out of two from the stripe after a technical foul was called on Frohnapfel. After baskets from Heist, Butcher and Todd, suddenly Pulaski was on a 11-o run and found themselves ahead 59-26. A pair of free throws from Frohnapfel broke the scoring run, but both Ralston and Bullock were able to get baskets before the end of the quarter. Frohnapfel had a highlight moment to end the quarter however, as she absolutely nailed a shot from nearly half court at the buzzer for three, with the home team ahead 63-31.

The running clock came into play shortly before the end of the third period, which meant the final eight minutes would fly by in this one. Frohnapfel had the first two of the period before Carlee Davidson hit a three for Hazard. Baskets from Bullock and Anna Ross were sandwiched by a three-point basket from Frohnapfel as the freshman continued her stellar second half performance. Haley Olinger hit a three as time was winding down for the Bulldogs, with Pulaski able to ride their strong defense and scoring runs to a 67-42 victory, extending their winning streak to six games in the process.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County junior Madeline Butcher (20) poses with a game ball alongside head coach Chris Adkins after being honored for reaching 1,000 career points before the game between the Lady Maroons and the Hazard Lady Bulldogs on Friday.

Butcher had a stellar performance after being honored before the game, leading her team with a game-high 17 points. Other scorers included Ralston with 16, Todd and Bullock with nine apiece, Murray with six, Stevens and Heist with four apiece and Ross with two. Hazard was led by Frohnapfel with 15 points.

Pulaski improves to 11-5 with the win and will be back in action at home on Monday, weather-permitting, to take on a district rival in the Rockcastle County Lady Rockets.

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