BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Martin County Middle School Cardinals improved their record to 7-3 with wins over Williamson 46-30 Friday and Kermit 44-29 Saturday. Both games were played at the Williamson Fieldhouse.

In the showdown against the Williamson Wolfpack, Martin County took control early for an 11-5 lead after the first quarter.

Despite a spirited comeback by the Wolfpack, the Cardinals maintained a slim 19-16 advantage at halftime. They dominated the third quarter, scoring 16 points that put them in front 35-23 after three, then cruised to the victory.

Aiden Copeland scored 18 points to lead Martin County, while Jayden Yates followed with 10. Jaxson Pack contributed six points, Brayden Marcum and Chase Hinkle chipped in five each, and Noah McCoy added two.

Matt Phillips led Williamson with 11 points, Greg Williams scored eight, Jackson Jewell tallied six, and Corey Rogers and Katen New each contributed three.

The Cardinals started strong in the win over Kermit with a first-quarter 12-5 lead.

The Martin County offense exploded in the second quarter. The Cardinals scored 18 points and took a 30-6 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The third quarter saw the Cardinals extend their lead to 41-16, then cruise to the win in the final frame.

Copeland again led the Cards in scoring with an impressive 17 points, Pack and Noah McCoy contributed eight points each, Hinkle added six, Marcum drained a 3-pointer for three points, and Bradley Hatfield chipped two points.

Lleyton Brumfield led Kermit with 11 points, Bryson Richardson and Darian Vance added six each, Aley Serrano chipped in four, and Kooper Sturgill scored a 3-pointer.