BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The boys and girls Martin County High School basketball teams showed out in the first half of summer.
After posting winning records for both squads, the teams are heading into the KHSAA dead period.
The boys team played teams from across the region and attended multiple camps. They played in Ashland, Hazard and Lawrence County and hosted eight teams in the Cardinal Shootout.
Coach Jason “JJ” James saw bright spots in his team.
“I thought we looked really good at times,” James said. “But then we’d have some times that didn’t look so good. Our decision-making from a lot of guys wasn’t where it needs to be.”
Summer is a time to work out the kinks, and James is looking forward to returning to the gym.
“I really like this team,” said James. “But it may take the first month of the season for us to start learning how to win.”
Luke Hale, Matt Linville, and Brayden McKenzie put up some big numbers during the Cardinal Shootout. The team looks well-rounded, and anyone can show up on any night.
The girls team had a chock-full summer schedule. They hosted the Rising Stars Summer Games and the Ball of Fame camp.
The Lady Cards played in the Aries and Lawrence County leagues and traveled to Kentucky Christian University, Alice Lloyd, West Virginia Tech, East Tennesse and Chapmanville.
Jim Clayton and the University of Pikeville coaches provided instruction for the girls. On top of this, they practiced multiple days a week and lifted weights.
The coaches took the ladies to King’s Island for a team-bonding event to end the summer season.
Coach Robin Newsome gave her team a lot of exposure in the month since school ended.
“I ran five players in, five out to develop the whole program,” Newsome said. “All the kids gained a lot of experience and played.”
Lady Cards summer work included varsity, JV and middle school.
“Our numbers were good,” said Newsome. “We spent time in the weight room and put the girls through speed and agility training. We will have good depth. We just need to continue to put up shots and get stronger.”