Cards fire in 17 treys in 103-85 beatdown
BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIKEVILLE — Martin County is heading to the third 15th Region championship game in a row after a shootout with Floyd Central on Monday. The Cards lit the nets on fire, knocking down 17 made 3-pointers on 51.5% shooting from deep in the 103-85 beatdown.
The Jaguars struck first with Martin County’s Parker Watts quickly responding with a 3 from the wing that he knew was going in as soon as it left his hands.
Watts put another two on the board and Bryson Dials connected with Devan Maynard to jump out with a 7-2 lead.
With Floyd Central scoring a basket, Dials came back down the floor to shush the Jaguar faithful with a shot from the top of the key. On the ensuing possession, he dropped a pass to Watts outside the arc for 3.
The Cards conjured some déjà vu’ with the same play back down the floor to force a Jaguar timeout on a 16-6 lead.
Dials garnered another assist when he found Peyton Davis for his first long-range shot of the night.
Eli Mills joined in on the action from downtown when he nailed a three in the corner.
The Cards went into the next period with a 24-17 lead.
Coach Jason “JJ” James drew up an inbounds play with Dials finding a cutting Maynard for a bucket. The floor general racked up another trey at the top of the key, and the Cards and Jaguars began to trade baskets.
The crowd came alive with senior Davis going up and under and Watts driving in the lane. The dead-eye shooter Davis would fire in another two shots from deep before the break. Martin County went to the locker room with a 52-40 lead.
The Cards opened up the second half on a 10-4 run.
With the gap beginning to widen, Brayden Estep tickled the twine from the corner for the team’s 11th trey of the night.
Maynard threw down a shot before heading into the final stanza.
With Dials and Davis shooting the lights out in Pike County, their four baskets from downtown thwarted any Floyd Central comeback.
Coach Jason “JJ” James commented on the championship game that was set for March 11.
“It’s going to be a battle against Lawrence County,” he predicted. “We have to stay glued and stay together. They’re playing hot right now. Hopefully our shots continue to fall and we get out on fast breaks.”
James emphasized the significance of the victory for the community, which has been impacted by recent flooding.
“This win would mean a lot especially since the flooding,” said the coach. “We’ve had such a following and our crowd continues to grow.”
Watts finished the night with a double-double scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Davis delivered a stunning performance from three-point range shooting a blistering 77.8% knocking down seven treys. He pulled down four boards.
“Our goal since the beginning was to make it here,” Davis said. “We have to play quarter by quarter. My teammates are great at driving and finding me.”
Davis said how much he wants to cut down the nets: “With everything I have in me. Senior year, I want to go to Rupp one more time.”
Dials fired in five shots from deep en route to 24 points and six rebounds. He emphasized the need to stay focused.
“We need to finish this out,” Dials said. “We need to rebound and play defense; we need to lock in. I know I have shooters all around me, so it’s not hard to find them.”
The freshman believes the Cards “have one of the best fanbases in the state.” He was expecting to see a large crowd on Tuesday.
Maynard put on a masterful performance inside the paint, firing in 16 points and snatching six rebounds off the glass.
“This win feels great,” Maynard said. “We each fit our role really well.” On the tough match-up tonight, “We have to share the basketball and keep Lawrence from rebounding.”
Estep and Mills finished with three points, with Estep securing two rebounds.
“I’m glad to be back here,” Estep said, looking forward to the title game. “We know we can’t overlook Lawrence County. They’re playing amazing right now. I want everyone to go back to Rupp, especially for BJ Parsley. I want to do it for him.”
Parsley missed out on the last trip to Lexington with the team due to a major surgery.
Estep’s idea of getting him there: “We have to trust each other.”
Skyler Morrison came off the bench to drive in a basket from the corner for two. Alan Moore picked up a rebound.
Martin County (21-8) entered a dogfight Tuesday (March 11) against Lawrence County (22-10). Details were not available at press time.