Beech Tree News Network

WHITESVILLE - Butler County's 2017-18 season ended in the opening round of the 12th District Girls' Basketball Tournament. Edmonson County pulled away to defeat the Lady Bears 56-24 in the initial round of the 12th District Girls' Basketball Tournament at Horn Community Center on Monday night.

With the loss, Butler County ended its season 5-20.

Edmonson County improved to 27-4 and advances to the 12th District championship game following the win.

Nine different Edmonson County players scored in the winning effort. Peyton Martin led Edmonson County with a game-high 18 points. Finishing directly behind Martin in the Edmonson County scoring column, Third Region Player of the Year and Miss Basketball Finalist Caitlin Simon posted 17 points for the Lady Cats. 

Butler County was forced to play from behind in each quarter. The Lady Cats set the tone early, outscoring Butler County 16-2 in the first quarter. Edmonson County led the Lady Bears 32-12 at halftime and remained in control after intermission. Dominant Edmonson County led 49-17 at the conclusion of the third quarter. 

Edmonson County notched its third win over the Lady Bears in the 2017-18 season. 

Butler County, which puts on the floor one of the youngest girls' basketball teams in the Third Region, was limited on the offensive end throughout the postseason matchup. Junior Kasidy Graham, junior Maddie Cardwell, sophomore Hannah Chaney and eighth-grader Jaelyn Taylor were among the young leaders for Butler County in tournament game. Senior Maddy Murphy, a longtime leader, concluded her career with the Lady Bears as a result of the season-ending setback.

In the other opening round game of the 12th District Girls' Basketball Tournament, Grayson County topped tournament host Whitesville Trinity 46-41.

Hannah Saltsman led a balanced Grayson County offensive effort with 16 points. 

Cassidy Morris paced Whitesville Trinity, scoring a game-high 18 points for the Lady Raiders in the campaign-concluding loss.

Accompanying Morris in double figures for the Lady Raiders, Nina Wathen netted 11 points. 

With its win, Grayon County improved to 16-13.

Edmonson County will meet Grayson County in the 12th District championship game at 7 p.m. on Thursday. 

---

Beech Tree News Staff Report