BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Makenna Marcum delivered a takeover fourth quarter Dec. 17. The eighth grader scored 16 of her season-high 32 points in the final stanza as Martin County (4-3) fended off Letcher County Central (5-4) for a 65-57 win.

Marcum hit two clutch 3-pointers in the final period and was automatic at the free-throw line. She finished 12-12 for the game. Six of those makes came in the fourth quarter as Letcher Central repeatedly fouled in an attempt to extend the game.

“Letcher Central has a really nice team; they play extremely hard,” Martin County coach Robin Newsome said. “So very proud of these kids. They are giving it everything they have.”

Martin County jumped out to a 15-7 lead after one quarter.

The Cougars chipped away and cut the deficit to 25-22 by halftime.

The Lady Cardinals maintained control through three, taking a 39-35 edge into the fourth before Marcum and the Cards finished the job at the line.

“This group is fun to coach,” Newsome said. “A different player seems to step up every game. They seem to be coming together as a team and pulling for each other. As long as we play hard and share the ball we can be pretty good.”

Chloe May added 15 points and knocked down three 3-pointers for Martin County.

Annaleigh Davis and Maci Maynard chipped in nine points apiece. Davis went 3-3 at the charity stripe in the fourth quarter to help keep the Cougars at bay.

Newsome said improved free-throw shooting played a major role in the closing minutes.

“We shot the ball a lot better from the free-throw line,” she said.

Desirae Gullett knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 18 points, but Martin County’s junior varsity fell to Letcher County Central 51-25.

Gullett accounted for the bulk of Martin County’s offense with her hot shooting from long range. Lexi Cline added six points on two 3-pointers, and Anna Hinkle scored on a free throw.