BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County High School tipped off basketball season in style Nov. 20, hosting Cardinal Madness in front of a lively home crowd that saw elementary action, middle school games, contests and the first look at the Cardinals and Lady Cardinals.
Eden Elementary swept its rivalry slate with Inez, winning all three games.
In the C-team matchup, Eden rolled to a 28-3 victory over Inez.
Waylon Porter, Hank Reed and Randy Harless each scored six points to lead the Wildcats. Ayden Allen added four points, while Kace Nezbeth, Willie Porter and Eli Greer chipped in two points apiece.
Pete Moore scored all three points for the Inez Indians.
Eden’s B-team followed with a 46-8 win.
Lyric Howell paced the Wildcats with 10 points. Jaxon Maynard and Gray Newsome scored eight points each, Kingston Deskins added six, Collin Endicott finished with five, Tyler Allen scored four, Eli Greer had three and Charlie Burke added two.
For Inez, Brantlee Marcum scored six points and Kree Endicott had two.
Eden completed the sweep with a 39-21 victory in the A-team game. The Wildcats outrebounded the Indians 27-13. Eden managed only one turnover to Inez’s 14.
Wildcat Kaiden Bertling poured in 18 points to lead all scorers. He finished with six steals, four assists, and two rebounds.
Parker Stafford hit double figures with 11 points. He stuffed the stat sheet with seven blocks, seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
Brock Fields scored three points and had three steals.
Beckam Spaulding scored two points and pulled down five boards, along with two assists and a steal.
Jonah Mills and Declan Meade scored two points each with Meade grabbing two boards.
Blaine Williams rounded out the scoring with one point, but cleaned the glass with eight boards, five assists, and three steals.
Rocco Maynard scored nine points, Jayce McCoy and Kash Howell fired in five points apiece. Bentlee Copley added a bucket for the Indians.
In the middle school varsity game, Martin County fell 41-7 to Johnson Central.
Chucky Leonard scored five points to lead the Cardinals and Kooper Sturgill added two.
Johnson Central also won the junior varsity contest. No individual statistics were reported from that game.
After the youth and middle school games wrapped up, the spotlight shifted to the high school teams. The Lady Cardinals were introduced first. Each player was announced before taking the floor for drills and a brief practice session.
The boys team followed with its own round of introductions and a workout. The Cards gave fans their first in-person look at a Martin County squad with high expectations heading into the 2025-26 season.
The skills competitions capped the night. The girls and boys 3-point contests drew big reactions from the fans.
Martin County boys player Aiden Copeland emerged as the overall three-point champion after he knocked down his final shot to win it. Lady Cardinal guard Chloe May claimed the girls title.
In the dunk contest, Martin County’s high-flying forward Tanner Jennings brought the house down to win the event. Teammate Devan Maynard also wowed the crowd with a windmill dunk.
“The fans really came out tonight to watch us,” boys standout Braxton Keathley said after the event. “Tanner won the dunk contest and he can really jump. Devan had a nice windmill. It was a fun experience.
“We’re focusing on our craft and getting better every day,” Keathley added. “Taking it day by day and working on details.”
For May, a senior and longtime Lady Cardinal, the night carried extra emotion.
“Going out there for my last Cardinal Madness, it brought up a lot of memories,” May said. “It really made me think of Ken (former teammate Kennadi Mollett). She’s got the best seat in the house looking down on us. It’s still all for her.”
“I’m sad this is my last season and it’s close to being over,” she added.
Both high school teams will play in the long-awaited Zip Zone Classic this Saturday at MCHS. The Lady Cardinals take the floor at 6:10 p.m. against Phelps.
Coach Jason “JJ” James and the Cards will take on Wayne (WV) in the final game of the night at 8:50 p.m.
