Sammy Carrasco (1) shoots the game winning shot during a game between the Cave Spring Knights and the Pulaski County Cougars on January 21, 2026. (Brian Bishop/The Patriot)
By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Senior Sammy Carrasco hit a three-pointer with just over two seconds remaining Wednesday night, and Pulaski County defeated the visiting Cave Spring Knights, 53-50.
It was Pulaski County’s second win of the season over the Knights.
Pulaski County found themselves in another barn burner as Braxton Merchant hit a jumper with 1:30 left in the game to tie the score at 50 all.
With just over 27 seconds to play, Cave Spring would then inbound the ball but would commit a turnover and the Cougars called time with 14 ticks left on the game clock.
The Cougars would run the clock down to 4.7 seconds before using their last timeout to set up a play.
They would inbound the ball to Carrasco in front of the Cougar bench and he would turn and take a three-pointer from the right of the arc. His shot would bank in off the glass for the go-ahead score.
The Knights would use a timeout and the officials would put 2.2 seconds on the game clock.
Cave Spring (11-5) would inbound the ball to almost half court and use their last time with 1.2 showing. They would then inbound the ball with Merchant covering the inbound passer.
Pulaski County Cougar head coach Anthony Akers hugs Sammy Carrasco (1) after a a game in which he hit the game winning shot between the Cave Spring Knights and the Pulaski County Cougars on January 21, 2026. (Brian Bishop/The Patriot)
Merchant would then block the inbound pass as the horn sounded and the Cougars had swept the Knights on the season.
“I’m so proud of the guys tonight,” said Cougar head coach Anthony Akers. “This probably was our, what I call, the most mature game of the season. Great team effort, all eight guys who played scored and we didn’t fold. “They ( Cave Spring) came back from double digits down at halftime cause we missed some wide open shots and the bad timing of those shots.”
Pulaski County (6-9, 2-4) led for most of the game. They took the lead 5-4 and led until the Knights took the lead 50-48 with 3:28 left in the game.
The Cougars were up 14-6 after the opening quarter and they would take a 31-21 lead into intermission and a 43-39 advantage going into the final stanza.
The Cougars finished with knocking down eight threes, and shot 34 percent from behind the arc. They connected on 46 percent from the floor for the game.
Merchant had a game-high 20 points, Jalere Harlow knocked down 12 points and Silas Sweet chipped in with six for the Cougars. The Knights’ Shawn Turner led them with 14 points.
The JV Cougars (10-5) saw their three-game winning streak halted as they lost 57-45. They were led by Landon Matney’s 19 and Ade Jackson’s 14.
They will be back in action Friday night as they travel to Blacksburg. JV game tips at 5:30 and varsity to follow.
PC – 14 17 12 10-53
CS – 6 15 18 11- 50
Scoring – Pul. Co. – Merchant 20, Harlow 12, Sweet 6, Blevins 4, Sartin 3, Carrasco 3, Hash 3, Nottingham 2, Cave Spring – Turner 14, Holbrook 12, Jones 12, Cornett 10, Lang 2
3 PT. Goals – PC – 8 ( Merchant 3, Harlow 2, Carrasco, Hash, Sartin), CS – 5 ( Jones 2, Turner 2, Holbrook)
Total FG’s -Pul. Co. 22, CS – 21
FT’s – Pul. Co. 1-2, CS – 3-9
Total Fouls – Pul. Co. – 10, Cave Spring – 8
Fouled Out– None
Technicals – None
