BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. — Martin County held the lead until the final minute of overtime before they lost a 77-70 decision to South Charleston in the Chapmanville Country Roads Showcase. The game was played Friday at Chapmanville High School.

South Charleston knocked down five 3-pointers to go up 17-14 in the first quarter.

Martin County senior Luke Hale turned up the heat in the second quarter, firing in 10 points to help the Cards to a 33-32 lead at the half.

Hale continued hit 11 more in the third quarter to see the Martin County lead 53-49 at the end of the frame.

Chapmanville turned up the defensive full-court pressure in the fourth, then outscored Martin County 11-8 to tie the score at 61 and force overtime.

Martin County senior Dray Duff went down with an injury with 18 seconds left on the clock and did not play in overtime. The Cardinals stayed in front until the final minute of the overtime quarter, but Chapmanville rallied to take a 70-69 lead on a shot by Tavarish Porter. Martin County could not connect, and Chapmanville widened the gap to 72-69 on a Roman Kellum slam with 9 seconds on the clock.

Two technical fouls on the Martin County bench sent South Charleston to the line with 8 seconds remaining. The Black Eagles sunk 5 of 5 shots to send the Cardinals home with the loss.

Deshad Williams led all scorers with 28 points for South Charleston, Zane Saunders followed with 26, Kellum canned 12, Elijah Martin chipped in five, and Maurice Jones and Porter each contributed three.

Hale led Martin County with 25 points, Jacob Sturgell finished with 15 points, Devan Maynard added 10, Brayden McKenzie and Duff canned nine points each, and Peyton Davis chipped in two.