CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
GATLINBURG — The Martin County Lady Cardinals showed resilience in the Smoky Mountain Classic held Dec. 27-30 at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School in Gatlinburg. They dropped a heartbreaker 56-55 to Hampton (Tennessee) in overtime Dec. 27, lost Thursday to St. Henry 38-28, then bounced back Saturday to defeat Dawson County (Georgia) 65-64.
Martin County Coach Robin Newsome expressed mixed feelings about the tournament. While disappointed with the two losses, she praised the team’s response, especially in the final game against Dawson County.
“We had some sickness over the holiday, and a few kids were not full speed,” Newsome said. “We just never got into any offensive rhythm.”
The coach commended the team’s spirit and their never-say-die attitude.
“They never quit and fought to come back to get the win,” said Newsome.
Below is a recap of all three games.
Lady Cards lose in OT
The Lady Cardinals opened the tournament Dec. 27 with a nail-biting overtime loss to Hampton (Tennessee) 56-55.
This was a contest of ups and downs. The Lady Cards initially struggled, and Hampton had a 10-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Martin County rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Hampton 19-12 for a 27-23 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was a repeat of the first quarter, with the Lady Cards scoring eight points to Hampton’s 10. The Lady Cards held on to a narrow 35-32 lead at the end of the frame.
The score was knotted at 49 with 40 seconds remaining on the clock. The Lady Cards were holding for a last-second shot. Laken Williams got to the rim with the clock running and got a shot off, but it did not go down, and the horn sounded to send the game into overtime.
Hampton outscored the Lady Cards 7-6 in overtime to set the final score.
Williams led all scorers with 20 points for Martin County. Katie Marcum followed with 14 points, Brooke Marcum added eight, Kennadi Mollett netted seven, and Alyssa Allen and Chloe May each flipped in three.
Macy Henry led Hampton with 13 points, Helle Piper scored 12, Faye Carrico finished with eight, Brea Hicks and Hannah Smith each added seven, Estep chipped in five, and Berry and Abbie Lunsford each contributed two.
Lady Cards fall to St. Henry
Martin County took on St. Henry out of Northern Kentucky and lost 38-28 in a low-scoring game Thursday.
Martin County had no energy in this game and could not get the shots to fall. The score was 11-10 at the end of the first quarter, with the Lady Cards holding on to a one-point lead. This would be the only lead in the game for the Lady Cards.
The score at the half was 19-17 St. Henry.
St. Henry led at the end of three quarters, 33-26.
The Lady Cards only managed two points in the fourth quarter to fall to St. Henry 38-28.
Lady Cards defeat Dawson
The Lady Cardinals got a better start against Dawson County (Georgia) and clinched the 65-64 win Saturday.
Martin County led after one quarter 12-11, with Katie Marcum pacing the scoring with seven first-quarter points.
Laken Williams got going in the second quarter, scoring eight points to help Martin County take a 26-21 lead at halftime.
Dawson County came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter, scoring 25 points to take a 46-38 lead over the Lady Cards.
The Lady Cards surged in the fourth quarter, adding 27 points. Senior Alyssa Allen scored nine of her 10 points in the final frame to help Martin County win.
Four Martin County players scored double figures. Katie Marcum led all scorers with 21 points, Laken Williams finished with 16, Brooke Marcum poured in 12, Alyssa Allen added 10, Kennadi Mollett chipped in four, and Maci Maynard flipped in two.
Kindra Coker led Dawson County with 19 points, Eva Bishop finished with 17, Jordan Gregory netted 13, Maddie Siuta flipped in nine, Ava Roberson chipped in four, and Heather Burt contributed two.
