CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

INEZ — Martin County scorched the nets to defeat Rowan County 73-52 in a home game Dec. 21 in Inez.

The Cardinals shot 8-for-16 from the 3-point line for 50% and finished the game 28-for-51 shooting 55% on their way to their seventh win of the season. 

Martin County improved to 7-2.

The Cardinals came out ready from the tip and had a 22-10 lead after the first quarter.

Rowan County did not have a defensive answer to stop the Cards from scoring at will.

The Cardinals kept the half-court pressure on defensively causing several turnovers.

Martin County doubled the score in the second quarter for a 44-28 lead at the half. 

Rowan County managed to score 10 points in the third quarter to go up 58-38 at the end of three.

The Cards outscored the Vikings 15-14 in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Four Cardinals scored double digits: Brayden McKenzie and Luke Hale led Martin County with 14 points apiece; Matt Linville went 5-for-8 from the field to finish with 13 points; Jacob Sturgell hit 5-for-10 for 12 points. Peyton Davis and Ethan Ferrell each contributed five points, Dray Duff canned four and Bryson Dials and Blake Maynard scored three apiece.

Jayson Singles led all scorers with 17 points for Rowan County. Ryan Horton, Noah Edger and Christian Parker each netted six points, Braiden Hammonds and Zach Watson each added four, Will Richardson, Slade White, Jace Winkleman and Weston Maxey each scored two and Grant Rose contributed one. 

Game stats showed the Cardinals with 36 rebounds to Rowan County’s 30. Linville pulled down nine boards for the Cardinals, Sturgell grabbed eight, Duff five, Hale and McKenzie four apiece, Ferrell three, Maynard two and Davis one.

The Cardinals shot 9-for-10 from the free-throw line for 90%.

The Cardinals will be back in action Thursday at 6:15 p.m. against Cameron (W.Va.) and Friday at 5:15 p.m. against Tucker (W.Va.) in the Kaydence Maynard Memorial Christmas Classic at Tug Valley High School.