BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

The Martin County High School girls basketball team took to the hardwood last week following the recent announcement of Robin Newsome’s retirement after 48 years with the program.

The Lady Cards played in the EE Athletic Academy Kennadi Mollett Memorial Tournament over the weekend. Also, they attended the Betsy Layne team camp as they await word on who will take over the storied program.

Assistant coaches Lance Tackett and Mark Tiller, members of last year’s staff, have stepped in to schedule games and find camps for the upcoming Cardinals squad.

The pair recently coached the Lady Cards at the Betsy Layne team camp with a young group that included two seventh-graders, two eighth-graders, two freshmen and one junior. The Lady Cards led defending 15th Region champion Pikeville for the majority of the first half. They battled within a few points for the remainder of the game.

Martin County later fell to Shelby Valley but showed flashes of scoring throughout the contest.

Over the weekend, the Lady Cards took on Tug Valley and Belfry in the Memorial Tournament. Athletes came together to honor the memory of former Lady Cardinal Kennadi Mollett, whose life was cut short last year.

As of Monday, the head coaching position had not been announced. With word circulating that interviews have taken place, Martin County fans are eager to learn who will take over the reins.

Until then, Tackett and Tiller have scheduled the Lady Cards to attend the Transylvania University team camp and compete in scrimmage games before the KHSAA dead period begins June 25.