CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
INEZ — Tis the season for turkey and basketball. The state’s hottest preseason event is finally here with a lineup sure to turn heads. The 2024 Zip Zone Classic will be held this Saturday at Martin County High School.
As in years before, there are expected to be giveaways and halftime entertainment to keep the overstuffed Thanksgiving crowd on their feet.
Jackie’s Gymnastics will perform at various points in the day.
Before Martin County boys tipoff, former Cardinal Brayden McKenzie will receive his 1000th point basketball.
The day’s action kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Martin County Middle School Cardinals facing the Kermit Blue Devils.
At 11 a.m., Coach Mathew Taylor’s Shelby Valley Wildcats will take on the Chapmanville Tigers led by Coach Brad Napier. Chapmanville has added two transfers, Colton Brock and Jay Brock, to bolster their lineup.
The 12:15 p.m. matchup features the Ashland Tomcats, last year’s 16th Region champion, against the Breathitt County Bobcats. Ashland (23-11 last season) returns senior Zander Carter, who averaged 23 points per game and has signed to play at Liberty University. Breathitt County returns senior Austin Sperry, who averaged 22 points per game last season and has received offers from several Division I programs, including Morehead State and Ohio University.
At 1:35 p.m., the Hazard Bulldogs will take on Newport. Hazard (27-6 last season), the 54th District champion, returns senior Evin Eversole, averaging 21 points per game last season, and junior Seth Caudill with 18 ppg. Newport, the 9th Region champion, finished last season with an impressive 32-4 record.
In the 2:50 p.m. game, Boyd County will square off against Adair County. Junior guard Jacob Spurlock, who averaged 22 ppg and has received offers from Marshall University and Youngstown State, will lead Boyd County coming off a 27-7 season. Adair County (29-9 last season) returns senior guards Connor Loy and Isaiah Cochran after winning the 5th Region championship.
The 4:05 p.m. game promises to be a thrilling rematch of the 2024 KHSAA State championship as Lyon County faces Harlan County. Lyon County, the state champion (36-3 last season), defeated Harlan County (34-5) 67-58 in the final of the Sweet 16. Both teams lost their star players in Travis Perry of Lyon County, the state’s all-time leading scorer, and Trent Noah of Harlan County. Both signed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.
The Martin County Lady Cardinals, coached by Robin Newsome, and the Tug Valley Panthers, coached by Seth Ooten, will clash at 5:35 p.m. The Lady Cardinals, who finished last season with a 21-12 record, are rebuilding after losing four starters to graduation. Junior Brooke Marcum is the only returning starter. Maci Maynard, a 6-foot-4 freshman, will hold down the center position and is ranked 8th in the Class of 2028 by Kentucky Premier.
Tug Valley returns key players in senior McKenzie Browning and juniors Haven Deskins, Bailey Hall and Katelyn Richardson.
At 6:40 p.m., Johnson Central will face George Washington out of Charleston, West Virginia. Sophomore Austin Slone, who averaged 27 points per game last season, leads the Golden Eagles.
In the final game of the day at 8 p.m., the Martin County Cardinals will meet Tug Valley, the defending Class A state champion from West Virginia. The Cardinals (23-10 last season) lost four starters. They will rely on seniors Peyton Davis and Parker Watts and juniors Devin Maynard and Eli Mills. Look for freshman Bryson Dials to make an impact.
Tug Valley, the West Virginia Class A state champion, will bring standouts such as senior Ashton Davis and juniors Bryson Elia and Braydon Ferris.
Martin County scrimmaged a tough 6A Scott County team this past weekend and came away with a big win.
Head coach Jason “JJ” James is excited to show the home crowd what this team has to offer.
“Our guys played well,” he said. “We hit 15 threes. We were slow to start, but once we got into a little bit of a rhythm, things started clicking.”
James will have his team back in the gym this week to prep for the event.
With a packed schedule featuring some of the state’s best teams and players, the 2024 Zip Zone Express Tip-Off Classic promises to be a must-attend event for basketball fans.
Ticket prices are $10 for all-day admission.