BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County dropped three games in a weeklong stretch, falling to South Oldham, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and Charlotte, including an overtime loss in the finale at the Bristol Christmas Tournament.
The Cardinals fell 72-63 to South Oldham on Dec. 22. Braxton Keathley led Martin County with 22 points on four 3-pointers. The big-time guard completed the double-double with 10 boards.
Bryson Dials scored 16 with four treys and had six rebounds. Senior Eli Mills added 11 points with three shots from deep and four rebounds off the glass. Brayden Marcum hit for seven points and pulled down four boards. Alan Moore scored five points and grabbed six rebounds. Devan Maynard scored a bucket and collected 10 rebounds.
Martin County hit 12 3-pointers and finished with 40 rebounds, led by 10 boards apiece from Keathley and Maynard.
Martin County then dropped an 80-66 decision to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga), Tenn., on Dec. 26 despite a monster performance from Keathley.
The two-way guard poured in 40 points on 16-of-24 shooting. Keathley was efficient from every level after he went 11 of 17 from 2-point range and 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. He added five boards, three assists and two steals.
Dials hit three 3-pointers on the way to 13 points and finished with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Maynard anchored the glass with 14 rebounds and contributed three blocks. He added four points, two assists and a steal.
Mills hit for five points and secured four boards, two assists and two steals. Marcum came away with six steals to go with two assists, a rebound and a block. Moore scored four points and grabbed three rebounds.
Martin County closed the trip Dec. 28 with a 79-71 overtime loss to Charlotte (Punta Gorda, Florida).
Keathley continued his hot streak and scored 31 points to go with 11 rebounds cementing another double-double.
Dials poured in 26, including five 3-pointers. He also recorded a double-double with 10 shots secured off the glass.
Mills added six points to go with three rebounds. Maynard scored five and put up another dominant performance on the glass with 13 rebounds. Marcum nailed a shot from deep for three points and had a rebound. Moore had five boards and Chase Hinkle snatched a shot off the glass.
Martin County shot 49% from the floor, hit 10 3-pointers and went 13 of 18 at the free-throw line.
The Cards were scheduled to play Virginia (Bristol) Monday. Details were not available at press time.
The hometown fans will get their chance to see the Cardinals in the All ‘A’ tournament Jan. 5 at the Appalachian Wireless Arena. Martin County is the defending champion and will look to repeat.
