James finishes third in region

CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

PAINTSVILLE — The Martin County Golf team set the bar for an exciting season in the Region 11 All-A Golf Tournament held Aug. 8 at the Paintsville Country Club. Sophomore and four-year player Jaylee Deskins finished third and will advance to the All-A State Golf Tournament. In the men’s division, Cardinals Jake James finished third and Dennison Davis fifth.

After heavy rain the last two weeks placed a damper on practice efforts, Martin County coach Marcie Hanson’s experienced players were ready and willing to take their place on the course.

“Our Cardinals came ready to play, despite the high temperatures and wet ground conditions,” Hanson said.

Deskins battled the extreme temperatures to earn a trip to the state with a score of 110, finishing just behind Paintsville’s Isabella Christy with a score of 66 and Pikeville’s Kaitlyn Stepp with a 96. Shelby Valley’s Lauren Hundley finished fourth, Betsy Layne’s Katelynn Caudill fifth and Shelby Valley’s Emilee Compton and Aubrey Hundley finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

Since there was no four-member women’s high school team in the All-A, seven individuals will move on to state tournament play. Deskins, in third place, will be the first Lady Cardinal to go to the All-A State Golf Tournament since 2019 and the third ever for MCHS.

Deskins is more than ready to represent the red, white and blue at the state level.

“First of all, I have to give all the glory to God for helping me achieve this amazing opportunity. To my golf coach, Marcie Hanson, for being the most patient and supportive golf coach out there and to my grandpa, Barry Webb, for assisting me in all things golf,” said Deskins. “I am so thankful for this opportunity to play with some of the best female golfers in the state of Kentucky and so excited for what the future holds for me and the MCHS golf team.”