BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Martin County Cardinals won the much-anticipated border battle over the Tug Valley Panthers 78-66 in the Saturday night finale of the Hatfield-McCoy Shootout at the historic Williamson Fieldhouse.
The game featured two of the region’s best high school basketball teams playing before a huge crowd in the final match-up of the two-day shootout event.
Tug Valley (12-3) did not have a good weekend losing both contests in the annual basketball event at the local venue. The Panthers came into the game ranked No. 2 in West Virginia in Class A.
The Cardinals got off to a great start, taking a 26-11 lead after one quarter, and they led 39-23 at the half.
Peyton Davis led the way with eight points in the initial quarter, while Brayden McKenzie added six to help Martin County get off to a hot start. Luke Hale had six points in the second quarter to lead MCHS.
The second quarter was closer with the Cardinals outscoring the Panthers 13-12.
Ashton Davis led TVHS with seven points in the second period.
The Panthers clawed their way back into the game in the third period as they outscored Martin County 25-17. Braydun Ferris scored seven and dished out three assists, and Davis scored six points.
Carson Newsome came off the bench to score all 11 of his points in the second half for Coach Garland “Rabbit” Thompson.
Tug Valley shot a cold 33% from the field in the game including 10-29 from behind the arc for 39%. They were 12-18 at the charity stripe for 67%. The Panthers did not shoot well the entire weekend.
Davis led five Panthers in double figures with 18. Ferris finished with 13 points, dished out five assists and grabbed five boards. Kaden Hale and Newsome added 11 points each while Bryson Elia contributed 10. Brady Brewer, Buddy Marcum and Preston May each scored one point.
For Martin County and Coach Jason James, McKenzie led the way with 25 points, while Luke Hale scored 20 and Davis finished with 10. Jake Sturgell scored nine points, Blake Maynard and Bryson Dials scored five points each, and Devan Maynard scored four. Both Sturgell and Maynard pulled down eight rebounds for the Cards.
Martin County shot 45% from the floor including 10-21 from 3-point land for 48%. The Cardinals went 22-32 at the free-throw line for 69%.
Tug Valley is set to host county rival Mingo Central on Tuesday and then travel to Webster County on Thursday.
Meanwhile Martin County is set to have a busy week as the Cardinals head back into Kentucky play. They play Magoffin County at home Monday, Knott County Central at home Tuesday and Johnson Central on the road Thursday.
Score by quarters:
MC: 26 13 17 22 – 78
Tug: 11 12 25 18 – 66
