MAROON CRUSH: Pulaski takes down Lady Jumpers at the Patch

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County junior Madeline Butcher (20) finishes through the contact by Somerset seventh grader Nora Grider (right) during the Maroons' 67-33 victory over the Jumpers on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

SOMERSET - Shoutout to R.E.M. for the inspiration for the title. On a chilly Saturday evening, it was time for crosstown action here in the Lake Cumberland area as the Pulaski County Lady Maroons made the very short trip over to Somerset to take on the Lady Jumpers at the Briar Patch. This was a game originally scheduled to be played before Christmas, but due to some unfortunate injuries and sickness on the side of the Jumpers the game had to be postponed.

Although the Jumpers gave their rivals everything they wanted and then some in the first half, the Maroons used a lopsided third quarter to run away with a 67-33 victory, improving their own district record to 2-0 and dropping the Jumpers down to 0-4, all but assuring Somerset the four seed in the 47th District Tournament.

Madeline Butcher started off the game on fire with five straight points off the rip, and after a three-point basket was nailed by Taylen Ralston, suddenly the visitors were starring at an 8-0 lead. Somerset finally broke onto the scoreboard with a basket from Serenity Haynes, however soon called for a timeout to settle things down. Hannah Murray became the third Maroon to score before Lilee Todd nailed one of two from the charity stripe to increase the visitors' lead to 11-2.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset junior Sophie Barnes (right) attempts to throw a pass past the defense of Pulaski County junior Madeline Butcher (20) during the Jumpers' loss to the Maroons on Saturday.

Sophie Barnes hit two of her own from the free throw line soon after, with her and Todd trading baskets before another three from Ralston forced another Somerset timeout. Out of that small break, Caroline Heist drilled a three of her own to further increase Pulaski's lead. Mati Cooper hit her first shot of the night, although that was immediately followed by Butcher scoring two from the stripe. It became a free throw fest late in the period, with both teams in foul trouble, as Murray, Haynes and Anna Ross all got turns at the line, but it was the Maroons on top 27-10 after the first.

Barnes had the first made shot of the second before Ralston was fouled on a three-point attempt. She was able to hit one of her three shots from the line. Butcher hit another three before Barnes and Todd traded traditional three-point plays, although both players would miss the freebie. Blaire Pyles hit one free throw before a 7-2 run by the Maroons, including Butcher scoring another five points, gave them a 40-17 lead that forced another Somerset timeout.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County sophomore Bella Stevens (left) attempts to get a pass past Somerset senior Serenity Haynes (21) during the Maroons' contest against the Jumpers on Saturday night.

Scarlett Anderson came off the bench and was able to hit two free throws after an offensive rebound out of the timeout. The teams traded baskets late, with Barnes able to hit a surprising banked-in three-pointer from the corner to seemingly give her team momentum heading into the locker room. However, Todd immediately went down to the other end and hit a three right before the buzzer to give Pulaski a 47-24 lead at the half.

Butcher lived up to her last name to start things off in the third quarter, slicing through the competition to the tune of six straight points. After a made shot from long range by Ralston, Pulaski's lead had ballooned to 56-24 and the running clock was dangerously close to coming into play. Another three from Butcher started that running clock with close to three minutes left to play in the period as Somerset still hadn't score in the quarter. Cooper finally gave them a point on a free throw late, but a shot made from Heist up close pushed her team's lead to 63-25 heading into the final eight minutes.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset sophomore Mati Cooper (center) attempts to maintain possession of the ball while battling on the floor against Pulaski County freshman Lilee Todd (left) and junior Hannah Murray (right) during the contest between the Jumpers and Maroons at the Briar Patch on Saturday.

The younger players on Pulaski got some run in what would end up being a fast fourth quarter due to the running clock, with Malia Bullock opening the scoring with a layup early. Cooper answered on the other end with an offensive rebound and two, before Heist followed suit with a made shot in the paint. Pulaski wasn't able to score for the remainder of the quarter, but Somerset were able to leave the contest with some building blocks after another made shot from Cooper, another three from Barnes and a made free throw from Luci Haught. At the end of the night though, it was the Maroons that celebrated a rather dominant showing with a 67-33 victory over their district and crosstown rivals.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County freshman Caroline Heist (11) shoots a three-pointer over the top of Somerset junior Sophie Barnes (12) during the game between the Lady Maroons and the Lady Jumpers on Saturday.

Butcher had a tremendous performance with a game-high 26 points. Other scorers for the Maroons included Todd with 14, Ralston with 10, Heist with seven, Murray with five, Anderson and Bullock with two apiece and Ross with one. Pulaski improves to 9-4 on the season and will be back in action on Tuesday as they travel to Casey County to take on the Lady Rebels in another district contest.

The Jumpers were led by Barnes with 18 points. Other scorers included Cooper with seven, Haynes with four, Pyles with two and both Haught and Nora Grider with one apiece. Somerset falls to 3-6 for the season and will be back in action on Wednesday, as they travel to Danville to take on the Lady Admirals in the 12th Region All "A" Tournament.

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