INEZ — The Mountain Citizen is proud to announce its 2022-23 All-57th District boys and girls basketball teams, players of the year and coaches of the year.
Girls Coach of the Year
Martin County girls coach Robin Harmon-Newsome is the Coach of the Year. The Hall of Famer won her 14th career district title this season, making it three in the last four seasons. Her Lady Cardinals finished with a 26-6 record, back-to-back 57th District championships, Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic championship and the 57th District Conference championship.
Newsome won the Girls 57th District Tournament 2023 Winning Coach Award. She also surpassed 500 career coaching wins this season.
Girls Player of the Year
Martin County’s Laken Williams (#3) is the 57th District Player of the Year.
Williams finished the season ranked 20th in the state in scoring. She averaged 21.2 points, five assists and five rebounds per game, showing why she is highly regarded.
The junior guard led the Lady Cardinals to a 26-6 season, back-to-back 57th District Tournament championships, Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic championship, 57th District Conference championship, Marshall County Hoopfest championship, 15th Region All-A runner-up and Daytona Beach Classic runner-up.
Williams was named MVP in the Marshall County Hoopfest, made the Daytona Beach Classic All-Tournament Team, 15th Region All-Tournament Team, 15th Region Cats Pause top 15 players and Lexington Herald Leader Honorable Mention All-State.
Girls All-District First Team
Katie Marcum (#32) of Martin County averaged 12.8 points per game this season and led the Lady Cards in rebounds with eight per game. The junior recorded nine double-doubles this season and had a single-game high of 17 rebounds.
Marcum also led the Lady Cards in field goal percentage, shooting 41% for the season, and free throw percentage at 72%. She was named to the Daytona Beach Classic All-Tournament and 15th Region All-Tournament teams.
Emilea Preece (#23) of Paintsville averaged 16.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. The junior helped lead her team to a 19-12 season record and a 57th District runner-up.
Angel Mullis (#20) of Magoffin County led her team in scoring and rebounding. The 6-foot-1 senior center averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game to lead her team to a 10-19 season.
Kylie Kinner (3#) of Paintsville averaged 17.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The sharpshooting eighth grader led her team in 3-point field goal percentage at 33.2% and free throw percentage shooting at 78%.
Alyssa Allen (#2) of Martin County averaged nine points and four rebounds per game. She led the Lady Cards in three-point field goal percentage, shooting 37.9%. The junior was also a member of the Daytona Beach Classic All-Tournament team. She played a huge role in the championship game of the 57th District Tournament, leading the Lady Cards with 16 points and hitting 4-for-4 from 3-point range.
Girls Second Team: The girls second team includes Brooke Marcum of Martin County, Kaylyn McKenzie of Johnson Central, Karah Lafferty of Magoffin County, Taylor McKenzie of Johnson Central and Kali Mulcahy of Paintsville.
Girls Third Team: Kennadi Mollette of Martin County, Becca Wright of Johnson Central, Camrys Helton of Paintsville, Sophie Harless of Martin County and Chloe May of Martin County.
Boys Coach of the Year
Coach Jason James of Martin County is the boys Coach of the Year.
James coached his team to the 15th Region Tournament championship, 15th Region All-A championship and back-to-back 57th District Tournament championships. He was named the 15th Region Coach of the Year, 15th Region Winning Coach and 57th District Winning Coach.
Boys Player of the Year
Luke Hale (#2) of Martin County is the 57th District boys Player of the Year. The junior guard averaged 20.3 points per game this season and shot 46.2% from the field and 81% from the free-throw line to lead the Cardinals to Sweet 16 and the State All-A Classic. He was named 15th Region MVP, WYMT All-Tournament Team and Lexington Herald Leader Honorable Mention All-State.
Boys All-District First Team
Aiden Barnett (#2) of Magoffin County averaged 21.2 points and seven rebounds per game. The junior shot 46% from the field to lead his team to a 57th District Conference first-place finish and a 16-11 overall record.
Connor Fugate (#10) of Paintsville led his team in scoring and rebounding. He averaged 23.3 points and 11 rebounds per game. The senior helped lead the Paintsville Tigers to a 14-17 season record and a 57th District runner-up.
Ryan Rose (#23) of Johnson Central led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding. He averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds per game. The senior shot 51% from the field.
Brayden McKenzie (#3) of Martin County averaged 15.2 points per game and led the Cardinals in field goal percentage shooting at 50.2%. The junior played a huge role in leading the Cardinals to a 57th District championship, 15th Region All-A title, and 15th Region Tournament championship. He was named to the 15th Region All-Tournament team.
Dray Duff (#1) of Martin County averaged eight points per game and ran the offense for the Cardinals. The junior tied a state record for handing out the most assists in a game and was named to the 15th Region All-Tournament Team.
Boys Second Team: Jacob Sturgill of Martin County, Austin Slone of Johnson Central, Matt Linville of Marin County, Ben Lafferty of Magoffin County and Jade Kinner of Paintsville.
Boys Third Team: Peyton Davis of Martin County, Zane Whitaker of Magoffin County, David Fink of Johnson Central, Grayson Whitaker of Magoffin County and Ethan Cole of Paintsville.
Honorable Mention
Girls: Candace Spaulding of Martin County, Haylee Marsillett of Johnson Central, Kayllyn Vannoy of Paintsville, Bella Muncy of Martin County, Abby Barnett of Magoffin County, Tamara Workman of Martin County, Abbie Stambaugh of Johnson Central.
Boys: James Frederick of Paintsville, Devan Maynard of Martin County, Jacob Grimm of Johnson Central, Blake Maynard of Martin County and Ethan Ferrell of Martin County.
