Dingess named Player of the Year
BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIKEVILLE — Five Martin County athletes were among the players and coaches honored at the 15th Region Coaches Association 2022 Basketball Banquet held Friday at Appalachian Wireless Arena.
Brian Milam of WKYT hosted the event.
Senior Brady Dingess brought home the 15th Region Player of the Year award and made First Team. Lady Cardinal standouts Laken Williams and Katie Marcum were selected to the All-Region First Team. Jaaliyah Warren was Honorable Mention for the girls, while Luke Hale represented the Cards for the boys team.
Coaches voted for Player of the Year and All-Region Teams but were not allowed to vote for their own players.
The 6-1 Dingess is the first player in the history of the 15th to make the First Team as an eighth-grader and win the POY award later in his career.
Dingess averaged 27 ppg this season and led his team to a 15th Region title in 2020. The point guard amassed over 2,600 career points and scored a season- and career-high 50 points against Mountain Mission in his senior campaign, among countless other achievements. He will be continuing his decorated career at Morehead State.
The legendary Martin County coach Robin Newsome presented the award to Dingess in place of his coach, Jason James.
James, who could not attend the banquet, had a lot to say about his star player.
“Brady became such a great role model for our team and everyone in the community,” James said. “I really haven’t ever seen a kid work as hard as he did on his game to be the best version of himself. Every summer in the offseason, he focused on a certain skill he wanted to get better at.”
On Dingess’ career at Martin County, James said, “I think he had an incredible ride. He helped win the first regional title in 37 years. We won two of the last three district championships plus a Final Four run this year. I’m very proud of him. He deserves everything he’s gotten.”
Laken Williams and Katie Marcum are sophomores with bright futures.
Marcum is an absolute menace in the paint. She averages 16.2 ppg on 48 percent from the field, rips down nine boards a game and allows no easy baskets on drives.
Williams is a dream at the guard position. At 17.5 ppg, she scores in transition often with five steals per game. She doesn’t mind sharing the ball and dishes out five assists per contest. Williams is no stranger to putting in the work.
“To be chosen for this award means so much to me,” Williams said. “With so many talented girls to choose from, being selected to represent my region is an honor. It lets me know that my hard work is seen and pushes me to continue grinding for my team.”
The Lady Cards will be a force to reckon with when these two return to the hardwood next year.
Warren made Honorable Mention. She’s a threat beyond the arc for the Cardinals and led her team in 3-point field goals made at 36 percent shooting. Warren is an all-around player who doesn’t care to dive into the paint to pull five rebounds a game. Her 9.3 ppg is a difference-maker as she contributes to all areas of the game.
Hale also made Honorable Mention. He averaged 13.8 ppg and 3.4 rebounds as a sophomore and scored a game-high 28 points against Magoffin County. The sharpshooter led the Cardinals in 3-point field goals with 70 and helped his team grab the 57th District title by scoring 18 points in the championship game.