Spaulding plays final game at home

BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The red and white echoed through the Martin County gymnasium Friday night as the Lady Cardinals (15-8) bested the Phelps Lady Hornets (17-9) in a 73-44 dominant send-off for beloved senior captain Candace Spaulding.

The packed house witnessed a masterful performance as Spaulding concluded her final home game.

“This was a special night for Candace,” Martin County coach Robin Newsome said. “She’s poured her heart and soul into this program, and she’s been a true leader. Tonight, the girls played with the kind of intensity and teamwork that Candace has shown them. We wanted to send her out on top, and they delivered.”

Makenna Marcum nailed a three-ball to begin the Cardinal ascent.

Brooke Marcum drove in two shots to the basket and Maci Maynard powered her way up for a shot.

A Sophie Harless free throw sent Martin County into the next quarter tied 10-10 with Phelps.

M. Marcum tickled the twine for a pair of three-pointers in the second period. Spaulding beat the defense for a two.

B. Marcum warmed up the jets and sped down the runway for nine second-quarter points and a Lady Cardinal 27-21 lead heading into the break.

Martin County took the floor and reeled off a 22-8 run to open the game up.

Spaulding came alive in the second half scoring in transition and off steals in the full-court press. The combo guard is ranked 44th in the state of Kentucky in field goals shooting 53.5% on the season.

Coach Newsome’s true and through Martin Countian delivered a memorable night tallying 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The lefty also grabbed seven rebounds.

Spaulding reflected on her emotions after playing for the last time in Martin County High School’s gym.

“A lot of emotions,” she said. “I’m happy my mom got to be here.”

Spaulding’s basketball journey began in first grade at Warfield Elementary. Along the way, she has had many coaches to thank, including Todd Howard, Carla Booth, Kevin Dials, Billy Davis, Ronald Workman and Frog and Robin Newsome.

“They were always pushing me to be my best,” she said.

As a 15th Region All-A champion, Spaulding also had some advice for future Lady Cards: “Never take your time. Always push. Don’t slow down. Never think you already have it all.”

B. Marcum lit up the nets shooting 50% from the floor. She poured in 20 points to lead all scorers and grabbed four rebounds.

M. Marcum put on a dazzling display from long-range connecting on 5-6 from deep. She added another bucket to finish with a season-high 17 points and two rebounds.

Martin County outrebounded the Hornets 38-30.

Accounting for half of those was Maynard. The freshman was a force of nature on the glass, hauling in 19 rebounds and scoring six points. Maynard is ranked 29th in Kentucky and second in the 15th Region shooting 55.2% from the floor. She leads the region and is ranked 11th in the state in rebounding at 12.7 per game.

Chloe May fired in eight points and grabbed four rebounds on the night.

Harless finished the evening with seven points and two rebounds.