CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

LEXINGTON — Laken Williams of Martin County High School received the Donna L.J. Murphy Award for “great” female student-athlete during the Mr. & Miss Kentucky Basketball awards ceremony Sunday in Lexington.

She is the first player from Martin County ever to receive the honor.

During her career for the Lady Cardinals, the Morehead State University committee surpassed 2,100 points and 500 assists. She led her team to an 80-32 record and consecutive district championships in 2022 and 2023.

Williams was not in the company of other players representing the 15th Region during Sunday’s event: Pikeville’s Trinity Rowe was there to receive the 2024 Miss Kentucky Basketball award, Magoffin County’s Aden Barnett was there as the 15th Region Player of the Year, and Pike Central’s Hannah May received the Kentucky girls free throw leader award.