CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
INEZ — With summer basketball games underway, the Martin County Lady Cardinals Coach Robin Newsome and her team are looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Newsome lost four starters from last year’s team—Laken Williams, Katie Marcum, Kennadi Mollett and Alyssa Allen—all of whom signed to play at the next level.
“These kids provided leadership and skills for the past four years that will be hard to replace,” Coach Newsome said. “But we have some very talented young ladies who are ready to step up and are working hard to make their mark. We lost a lot due to graduation, but so did other teams. We will be young, but if the kids are committed and buy in, I think we will surprise a lot of teams.”
The Lady Cardinals has one returning senior in Candice Spaulding, alongside five juniors—Brooke Marcum, Chloe May, Sophie Harless, Tessa Thompson and Angelina Moore.
The team also includes one sophomore, Bella Robinson and four incoming freshmen: 6-foot-4 center Maci Maynard, Des Gullett, Chloe Moore and Caylee Moore. Eighth graders Annaleigh Davis and Anna Hinkle round out the roster.
Marcum, the only two-year returning starter for the Lady Cards, will hold down the point guard position and step up in all areas of the game. Harless will return this year after sitting out last season due to shoulder surgery. She will provide the Lady Cards with more depth and leadership.
May provided outside shooting for the Lady Cards last season, and Newsome will rely on her heavily this coming season.
The coach expects a lot from Maynard, who is a huge presence in the paint and can score and rebound.
Spaulding provided a defensive spark last season, while all players saw significant varsity minutes. Davis and Gullett will also step up this season.
The Lady Cardinals started the summer with their Camp of Champions, followed by a two-day camp with Jim Clayton. Last week, they attended the Raceland Aries League, finishing 3-1.
Newsome hopes to get in as many games as possible during summer play, a crucial period for team and player development.
“We hope to have some teams come in and play at home next week. We are also planning on attending more college camps,” Newsome said.
“We have great numbers in our middle school program, and our middle school kids are playing summer games as well. We have played several JV games already.”