INEZ — Martin County Lady Cardinals Class of 2024 includes four talented seniors. Laken Williams, Alyssa Allen, Kennadi Mollett and Katie Marcum have led the Lady Cards to a 70-26 overall record during their four seasons, with the fourth season ongoing. This week, they shared a snapshot of their lives, achievements and aspirations.
Read it below:
Laken Williams (#3)
Point guard
(LW3)
Laken Williams grew up with a ball in her hands and is known for her agile athleticism as the point guard. She has led the Lady Cardinals to a 70-26 overall record during her four years on the team.
Williams’ list of accomplishments is impressive: back-to-back district championships, Cats Pause top 10 players in the 15th Region, 15th Region All-Tournament team for two years, WYMT All-Tournament Team, Marshall County Hoop Fest MVP, Smoky Mountain Classic All-Tournament Team, and Donna Murphy Classic All-Tournament Team.
Williams has scored over 1,750 points and last season ranked in the KHSAA top 20 in scoring.
Off the court, Williams is involved in JAG, Beta Club and the Travel Club.
Williams’ favorite food is Chicken Alfredo. When she is not on the court, you might find her enjoying “Law & Order,” her favorite TV show.
Looking ahead, Williams has offers to play college basketball while pursuing her academic goals. In a fun twist, she admits a love for being around kids. If given $10 million, she would splurge on shoes and the car of her dreams and give to charity.
A fun fact about Williams is she collects and loves sneakers.
Williams’ pregame ritual involves a team meal.
Alyssa Allen (#4)
Shooting guard/ captain
Alyssa Allen brings 16 years of basketball experience to the Lady Cardinals. As a shooting guard and team captain, she has earned the title of MVP at the Florida Invitational Tournament and boasts three district championships. Allen has been a devoted Lady Cards Basketball team member for four years and helped lead them to a 70-26 overall record.
Beyond basketball, Allen is well-rounded, participating in activities such as weightlifting, reading and swimming.
Allen is involved in the yearbook committee, travel club, JAG KY and BETA Club. Chicken is her favorite food, and Raising Cane is her go-to restaurant.
With plans to study speech pathology in college, Allen sees herself flourishing in the same field in 20 years.
A fun fact about Allen is her talent for tumbling.
If given $10 million, she would indulge in clothes and shoes.
Allen’s shoutouts go to her support system, including her mom, Jim Clayton, Jody Burgess and Ronnie Smith.
Her pregame ritual involves a pasta feast the night before.
Kennadi Mollett (#23)
Guard/ small forward
(Ken)
Kennadi Mollette has 13 years of experience playing basketball. She has been instrumental in leading the Lady Cards to a 70-26 overall four-year record. Better known as “Ken,” she is a guard/small forward and captain for the Martin County Lady Cardinals. Mollette has earned the title of two-time district champ.
Beyond basketball, her interests include shopping, tanning, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Involved in cheerleading, travel club, JAG and journalism, Mollette has diverse interests.
Mashed potatoes and hotdogs are her favorite foods and Longhorn is her preferred restaurant.
After high school, Mollette plans to attend college, but her future beyond that remains open.
Her favorite TV show is “Dance Moms,” and if she were a superhero, she would be Wonder Woman.
If given $10 million, Mollette would generously give to those in need while keeping the rest a secret.
Mollette’s shoutouts go to her family and best friends, Sophie McCoy and Lena Hale.
Her pregame ritual involves enjoying a hot dog from the concession stand.
Katie Marcum (#32)
Power forward/ center
(Katie Bug)
Katie Marie Ann Marcum, known as “Katie Bug,” serves as captain and plays power forward/ center for the Lady Cardinals. With 14 years of playing experience, Marcum has numerous accolades, including being a two-time regional All-Tournament player, a member of the 1,500-point club, and Cats Pause top 10 players in the 15th Region. Marcum had double-digit double-double games last season and has several this season. She has helped lead the Lady Cards to a 70-26 overall record during her four years.
In addition to basketball, Marcum is active in volleyball, Dragons AAU basketball, pep club, HOSA, travel club and the yearbook committee.
Shrimp is her favorite food and Olive Garden is her preferred restaurant.
Marcum plans to attend Alice Lloyd College to play basketball and study education in mathematics. She aspires to become a math teacher and high school basketball coach.
A fun fact about Marcum is she refuses to let a foul go to waste.
Her favorite movie is “Love & Basketball” and her TV show of choice is “On My Block.”
If she were a superhero, Marcum would be Batman.
With $10 million, Marcum would invest in her community and set aside funds for her future family’s college education.
Marcum’s shoutouts extend to her parents, grandparents, guardian angel Mamaw Cathy, siblings and the community for their unwavering support.
Her pregame ritual involves going out to eat with her teammates, setting the stage for a successful game day.