BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County Middle School Cardinals took on the Johnson Central Eagles Thursday at Martin County High School. This marked the third time these two teams faced off this season. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles in the two previous matchups, but this go-around saw the Eagles turn back the Cardinals 54-45.

The score was tied at the end of the first quarter 13-13. Bryson Dials added two three-pointers and Jarred Haney one three-pointer to keep the Cardinals close. Kaleb Callahan paced the Eagles in the first quarter with 7 points.

The teams traded baskets and the lead in the second quarter, but the Eagles edged the Cardinals 14-11 to take a 27-24 lead into the locker room.

Both teams had a hard time finding the basket in the third. The Cardinals tried to close the gap, but the Eagles maintained the 3-point lead 36-33.

The final frame turned into a free-throw contest as Johnson Central went 9-17 from the charity stripe. The Cardinal offensive machine slowed in the fourth quarter as Dials was the only one to score.

Dials scored 12 of his 24 points, going 6 for 11 from the charity stripe.

The Eagles outscored the Cardinals 18-12 to stretch the lead and seal the Cardinal loss.

Four Cardinals scored in this game. Seventh-grader Dials led the Cardinals with 24 points, Haney netted 12 points, Chase Hinkle added five and Dylan Yates finished with four.

Music, Callaham, and Perry paced the Eagles each scoring 11 points. Jaiden contributed nine points, McKenzie, Blair, Ashley and Borer each netted three points.