CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
INEZ — In a high-stakes showdown on the hardwood, the Martin County Lady Cardinals faced a narrow defeat against Johnson Central, ending the game with a score of 55-51 on their home turf Jan. 29.
The game, marked by its intensity and controversial officiating, saw the Lady Cardinals grappling with adversity from the get-go.
The match took an unexpected turn right from the start when Martin County senior guard Laken Williams suffered a sprained ankle on the first play. This early setback forced Williams to exit the court temporarily for treatment, leaving her team to navigate the initial minutes without their key player. Despite her quick return later in the first quarter, the Lady Cardinals struggled to find their rhythm, trailing 10-9 by the quarter’s end.
The physicality of the game escalated as Johnson Central implemented an aggressive man-to-man press, leading to a series of contentious moments. Spectators and players alike were dismayed as the officials seemingly overlooked several fouls, contributing to a growing sense of frustration within the Martin County ranks.
This frustration came to a point in the second quarter when, amid a lack of foul calls, Martin County coach Robin Newsome was slapped with a technical foul without prior warning.
The Lady Cardinals ended the first half trailing by five points at 21-16.
The game’s intensity did not wane after halftime. Williams, already battling an ankle injury, was further rattled by a no-call gut punch that sent her into a fetal position on the floor with the breath knocked out of her for several seconds. However, the Lady Cardinals rallied, posting a double-digit score in the third quarter and narrowing the deficit to seven points.
The drama peaked in the final quarter when physical play led to an unsanctioned altercation involving Alyssa Allen and Chloe May of Martin County and Kaylyn McKenzie of Johnson Central. Allen and May were guarding the ball. When Allen tied the ball up, McKenzie threw three closed-fist punches that struck Allen. Despite the clear violation of KHSAA rules, the officials failed to make a call, allowing play to continue.
The Lady Cardinals rallied under difficult circumstances to take a four-point lead with less than three minutes on the clock. However, their efforts were undone by crucial turnovers and a defensive lapse that allowed Johnson Central to clinch the lead and eventually the game.
Williams led Martin County with a game-high 16 points, K. Marcum followed with 12, Alyssa Allen contributed 10, Maci Maynard added five, May and B. Marcum each scored three, and Kennadi Mollett chipped two.
Taylor McKenzie led Johnson Central with 12 points, K. McKenzie and Karlea Stanley scored nine each, Sophie Younce flipped in eight, Maddie Prater finished with seven, Adyson Burchett and Annie Stambaugh netted three, and Becca Wright and Haylee Marsillett contributed two each.
The Lady Cards are set to rematch with Johnson Central Feb. 7 at Johnson Central. They will head to Bath County Saturday and East Carter Feb. 13.