BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — The Martin County Lady Cardinals clinched a 59-56 victory against the Johnson Central Lady Eagles in a strategically fought battle Feb. 7 on the road.
The win keeps the Lady Cards in the hunt for a 57th District Conference championship and the No. 1 seed in the 57th District Tournament as both teams moved to a 5-1 conference record.
This battle unfolded in front of a packed house. The Cardinal faithful showed up to watch their team avenge a previous 54-51 loss to the Lady Eagles Jan. 29.
Johnson Central scored first, but Martin County quickly responded despite the Lady Eagles’ hands-on full-court pressure defense. The Lady Cardinals ended the first quarter with a slim 10-8 lead behind eight points by senior Laken Williams.
Martin County outscored Johnson Central 13-12 in the second quarter and ended the half with a 23-20 lead.
Momentum shifted in the third period as Johnson Central took a 28-23 lead, but it did not last. Williams delivered a basket to narrow the deficit to 28-25. Both teams hit free throws to make it 30-27 Central.
Martin County coach Robin Newsome called for the press that led to three consecutive turnovers by Johnson Central.
Candace Spaulding cashed in on a steal to slash the gap to 30-29. Alyssa Allen’s composure at the free-throw line gave the Lady Cards the lead 31-30, while Brooke Marcum converted a layup to stretch it to 33-30.
Johnson Central fought back with a 3-pointer to tie the score at 33, but B. Marcum again delivered a basket that gave Martin County the lead for good.
Eighth-grader Maci Maynard went to the free-throw line under pressure and sank two clutch free throws, while Williams hit her second 3-pointer. The score was 44-37 heading into the final quarter.
Johnson Central rallied in the final quarter, cutting the deficit at various points, but could not overcome Martin County’s lead. Key contributions from Williams, K. Marcum and B. Marcum and accuracy at the free-throw line kept the Lady Eagles at bay.
The Lady Cardinals connected on 22 out of 25 free-throw attempts for 92% accuracy, hitting 16 of 16 in the second half.
Coach Newsome lauded her team’s composure and effective defense in what she described as a “pressure-packed game in a hostile environment.”
“Our pressure defense was a decisive factor in this win,” Newsome stated. “We also shot the ball better and our free-throw shooting was just phenomenal. This is the best we have shot free throws all year.”
Williams led Martin County with a game-high 23 points. B. Marcum scored 11 points, K. Marcum netted eight, Chloe May added five, Allen and Maynard chipped in four each, and Kennadi Mollett and Spaulding each flipped in two.
For Johnson Central, Taylor McKenzie scored 13 points, Kaylyn McKenzie nine, Karlea Stanley seven, Adyson Burchett, Sophie Younce and Maddie Prater six each, Becca Wright five, and Haylee Marsillett four.
With both teams finishing with a 5-1 conference record, a coin flip will ultimately decide which team claims the No. 1 seed in the conference standings.
The Lady Cards are set to play East Carter on the road Tuesday. They return to the home court Thursday to host Pike County Central and Friday to welcome Elliott County before traveling Saturday to Menifee County. All game times are 7:30 p.m.