JUMPING TO THEIR OWN BEAT: Somerset bounces back in comeback win over Danville

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Landen Lonesky (center) dives on the court in attempt to maintain possession of the ball during the Jumpers' 47-43 victory over Danville on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

SOMERSET - The Somerset Briar Jumpers were at the Briar Patch for the first time in the 2024-25 season on Saturday, taking on a 2-0 Danville squad. The Jumpers were attempting to still find their identity in a new era without stars Indred Whitaker and Ben Godby.

Turns out, that identity is that of a scrappy team that doesn't back down even while facing double-digit deficits. Multiple players contributed to a come-from-behind 47-43 victory over the Admirals, including a near double-double from Landen Lonesky.

After Danville scored the first six points of the contest, Lonesky finally had the first basket of the game inside for his team to make it 6-2. It wasn't long, however, before head coach Ryan Young would call for a timeout after a three from senior Sam Finke gave the visitors a 11-2 advantage. That advantage grew to double digits after a made basket from the Ads, before Kole Grundy gave the Jumpers the final points of the period as they trailed 13-4 and seemingly couldn't get anything to fall on the offensive end.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Danville senior Sam Finke (15) attempts to block the shot of Somerset junior Kole Grundy (right) during the Admirals' loss to the Jumpers on Saturday evening.

Somerset rode a tenacious defense though to a 7-0 spree to start the second quarter, with Lonesky and Grundy adding more point and Aedyn Absher finally hitting his first shot of the game from deep. Danville was forced to call for a timeout, but a three out of the brief break from Josh Bruner gave Somerset their first lead of the evening at 14-13. The Admirals quickly bounced back with five straight points to retake the lead by four points.

It looked like the Jumpers were building another big hole heading into the halftime break, but after a made basket from Raygan New and a made free throw from Isaiah Lewis, two athletes known for their skills in other sports, Somerset trailed by just two points at half 19-17. A low-scoring game between the two teams, but it was clear that the home team had confidence and momentum waiting for them in the second half.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset freshman Brock Stevens (right) passes the ball to a teammate during the Jumpers' contest against Danville on Saturday.

Danville scored the first five points of the third quarter to get their lead out to almost double-digits once again, before freshman guard Brock Stevens in short "Brocked" the Ads to the tune of seven of the next nine points to give Somerset the lead right back at 25-24. The Jumpers kept applying the pressure and went on a 17-0 run overall to build a double-digit lead on the Admirals at 34-24. Absher was on point during this span as well, scoring eight points.

Just as it looked like Somerset was running away with the victory in the fourth quarter, Danville locked in and following five straight from Trevarion Paige and a three from Jacob Singleton, all of a sudden the Jumpers' lead was down to just three points at 42-39, forcing coach Young to call for the timeout to get his guys to calm down.

The Ads picked up the intensity on the defensive end throughout their run, making the Jumpers uncomfortable with even dribbling the basketball. Lonesky remained a calming presence inside though, and with a two near the basket gave Somerset a 44-39 lead late in the ball game. Absher unfortunately fouled out to give Danville a chance late with one of the best ball-handlers out for the home team, with Paige hitting another two to bring the lead for Somerset back within three points.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset junior Aedyn Absher (2) shoots a floater over a defender during the Jumpers' contest against Danville at the Briar Patch on Saturday.

The two teams continued to trade free throws back-and-forth as neither team could get any sort of a run going with fouls being called right and left. An injury to Paige sat down one of the top players from the Ads before a pair of free throws from Lewis sealed the deal on a 47-43 victory for the Briar Jumpers in what was a balanced scoring attack for the home team.

Seven different players scored for the Jumpers, with Absher leading the way with 15 points. Other scorers included Lonesky, who almost assuredly had a double-double with 11 points and double-digit rebounds, Brock with seven, Grundy with six, Lewis and Bruner with three apiece and New with two.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset freshman Brock Stevens (22) lays the ball up near the basket during the game between the Briar Jumpers and the Danville Admirals on Saturday.

Danville falls to 2-1 and will next return to Somerset on Tuesday to take on the Southwestern Warriors at the Wig Wam.

Somerset improves to 1-1 on the year and will hit the road on Tuesday to take on the West Jessamine Colts.

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