CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
Lady Cards got by Pike Central Lady Hawks 60-57 in a home game Thursday and dropped a close 61-59 decision to Menifee County on the road Saturday.
Below is a recap of the action.
MC 60, PC 57
INEZ — In a battle of regional rivals, the Martin County Lady Cardinals pulled out a narrow 60-57 victory over the Pike Central Hawks in a home game Thursday.
Brooke Marcum got the Lady Cards started with a deep 3-pointer. Pike Central responded with three straight baskets to take a 6-3 lead. The first quarter saw several lead changes as both teams pushed the ball up and down the court. The Lady Cards went up 12-8 on a Chloe May 3-pointer, but Pike Central responded with two more field goals to take a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady Cards controlled the second quarter, outscoring Pike Central 17-9 to take a 28-21 lead at halftime. May had two 3-pointers, while Katie Marcum contributed six points in the quarter.
Both teams played evenly in the third quarter. The Lady Cards struggled from the free-throw line, going 3 for 7, while Pike Central connected on 7 of 8 attempts. Laken Williams and Katie Marcum paced the Lady Cards with seven points each to put Martin County up 48-42.
The Lady Cards took a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Pike Central refused to go away. Relying on their pressure defense throughout the quarter, the Lady Hawks committed numerous fouls to stop the clock. Despite the Lady Cards struggling from the free-throw line, hitting only 9 of 20 attempts in the fourth, they managed to hold on for the win.
“I’m happy for the win,” Martin County coach Robin Newsome said. “It’s been hard for us to stay dialed in and mentally focused on our free throws at times this season.”
Williams and K. Marcum scored 14 points each to lead the Lady Cards. May scored 12 points, B. Marcum 10, Alyssa Allen seven and Maci Maynard three.
Hannah May led Pike Central with 19 points, Lindsey Bowman added 13, Lara’s Stanley 10, Abby Hess nine and Abby May six.
MeC 61, MaC 59
FRENCHBURG — Martin County visited the Menifee Lady Wildcats and lost a close 61-59 decision Saturday.
The contest remained close throughout, with several lead changes. The Lady Cards held a slim 14-13 lead after one quarter. They outscored the Wildcats 17-16 in the second quarter and entered halftime with a 31-29 lead.
Menifee got hot in the third quarter and the momentum shifted. The Wildcats outscored the Lady Cards 18-14 to take a 47-45 lead.
Play was even in the fourth quarter, leaving the score tied 59-59 with 59 seconds to go. The Lady Cards had possession of the ball and drew a foul with 11 seconds left on the clock but could not connect on either free throw. The Lady Cards grabbed the rebound and drew another foul with 8.3 seconds on the clock. Once again, the Lady Cards could not get either shot to drop.
Menifee grabbed the rebound and advanced the ball down the floor. The Lady Cards were whistled for a foul at the half-court line with 4.3 seconds to go. Shalyne Baker stepped to the line and made the first free throw to put the Wildcats up 60-59. The second free throw rimmed off. Martin County fought for the rebound and was whistled for another foul. Menifee made both free throws to go up 62-59 as time expired.
“This game just wasn’t meant to be,” Coach Newsome said. “We have had many close games this season, and most have gone our way. We just couldn’t close this one out. Learn from it, forget it and move on.”
Laken Williams led Martin County with 16 points, Katie Marcum followed with 12, Brooke Marcum and Alyssa Allen added 11 each, and Chloe May and Kennadi Mollett chipped in two each.
For Menifee County, Baker led with 18 points, followed by Jaycee Gevedon with 16 and Payton Burgess with 13.
Dance Senior Night
