KINGS OF THE BRIAR PATCH: Somerset takes down Somerset Christian in crosstown classic
- Jacob Pratt
- Dec 21, 2024
- 5 min read
SOMERSET - Normally in the animal kingdom, one would typically favor a cougar over a rabbit. That wasn't the case on a cold Saturday evening where Somerset hosted crosstown foe Somerset Christian in the final game of the JAB Bartley Law Office Briar Jumper Winter Classic. The Cougars, in seven tries so far, have yet to beat Somerset High School. Through the first three quarters however, it looked like this year's version of the Cougars had an opportunity for their first-ever victory over the Jumpers.
This one came down to the wire, with a pair of late free throws sealing the closest contest between these two schools in history as Somerset took a 51-48 victory over their rivals.
Omari Harvey got the Cougars off to a fast start with an opening three-pointer before a two from Jack Baker gave the visitors a quick 5-0 advantage. Somerset fought back with a 7-0 spree, with Aedyn Absher having five points and Josh Bruner scoring his first two of the night, before Elijah Brummett drilled a three to flip the lead right back to Somerset Christian.
Neither team could get much of a lead after traded baskets from Harvey and Bruner. That was until the Jumpers closed the period on a 6-0 run, with Absher, Landen Lonesky and Raygan New each scoring two of those points. Lonesky had a crucial offensive board that led to the final two points of the quarter for the home team as they held a 15-10 lead after the first eight minutes.
A three from Bruner extended that lead to eight points starting things out in the second quarter. Braley Adderley scored his first two of the night before Al Gover called the Somerset Christian timeout down 20-14. Although Brummett was able to score two after the timeout, a basket inside from Lonesky and four straight inside from Kole Grundy immediately put the Jumpers ahead 26-16 and forced another timeout from the Cougars.
Somerset Christian was able to cut into that lead a bit before the end of the half, with Harvey adding two and Isaiah Hensley scoring his first five of the ball game, including on a traditional three-point play. Somerset would have the last laugh in the half though, as Absher nailed a pair of free throws to give his team a 30-23 lead heading into the locker room.
Hensley stayed hot through the half and cut the Cougars' deficit nearly in half with a third quarter-opening three. After a ferocious slam dunk from Adderley that lead was down to four points. A two from Baker and a free throw from Adderley later, and Somerset Christian trailed by just two points at 33-31 and forced Somerset head coach Ryan Young to call for the timeout.
Another Somerset run occurred following the timeout, with Absher scoring two and Brock Stevens hitting two free throws to put the home team ahead 37-33. After an offensive put-back from Brummett and a three from Baker, the Cougars trailed by just one point with time winding down in the quarter, and another Somerset timeout would follow. Grundy was able to hit a three before the end of the period however, and the Jumpers were up 41-36 heading into the final quarter.
Grundy had another basket to start off play in the fourth period. Somerset Christian locked in and used the free throw line to the best of their ability for the next few minutes, scoring six of the next eight points from the stripe, as they had now battled back and took the lead for the first time since the first quarter 44-43. Hensley had a basket right after that extended their lead up to three points, with the visiting Somerset Christian crowd coming unglued for their team.
Absher cut that lead to two with a made basket before Bruner hit an insanely clutch three-pointer to flip the lead back in favor of the home team at 48-46. Harvey fouled out soon after and Absher was able to hit one of two from the line to extend the lead to three points. Adderley was able to finish inside right after to cut the home team's lead back down to one point as it was truly either team's game late. Absher was able to hit two free throws after being fouled to extend the ball game with about 15 seconds left, with a Somerset Christian timeout to draw up a play coming soon after. Brummett was able to get the ball to the corner and fired up a three for the tie, but it was no good off the side of the rim and the Jumpers were able to hang on for a 51-48 victory over the Cougars. A fantastic game and again, the Cougars are going to be able to hang in most games this season.
The Jumpers were led in scoring by Absher with a game-high 19 points. Other scorers included Bruner with 10, Grundy with nine, Lonesky with six, Jakob Bartley with four, Stevens with three and New with two. Somerset improves to 5-2 and will be back in action starting next Friday as they take part in the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament at Corbin High School. They will take on Model on Friday, before squaring off with Bell County on Saturday.
The Cougars were led by Hensley with 13. Other scorers included Baker with 11, Harvey with 10 and Brummett and Adderley with seven apiece. Somerset Christian falls to 6-4 and will next be in action next weekend in the BSN Borderline Classic at Whitley County. They will take on Gallatin County on Friday before squaring off with Marion County on Saturday.
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