BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIKEVILLE — The Martin County Cardinals closed the 2023-2024 season Monday night as the 15th Region runner-up. The Cardinals lost to a tough Magoffin County Hornets team 67-57 in the regional championship game.
The 15th Region defending champ Martin County had previously beaten Magoffin three times this season: 76-72 on the road, 78-73 at home and 83-73 in the 57th District championship game. Coming off a hard-fought victory Saturday over Pikeville 65-57, the Cardinals would have their work cut out for them against 15th Region Player of the Year Aden Barnett and the Magoffin County Hornets for the fourth time this season.
Martin County controlled the tip in front of a packed house at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville. Brayden McKenzie drove to the basket and converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Cards ahead 3-0. Peyton Davis stretched the lead with a 3-pointer at the six-minute mark, pushing the Cards ahead 6-4. As the first quarter progressed, the Cardinals managed to take a narrow lead 15-14 with 1:11 remaining. However, Magoffin County rallied to go ahead 16-15 before the horn sounded. The first period saw 10 lead changes and four ties. McKenzie led the Cardinals with eight points.
Disaster struck for the Cardinals in the second quarter as they went ice-cold, shooting 1-11 from the field and managing to score only four points in the quarter. Magoffin County capitalized on the Martin County offensive struggles, finishing the second quarter with a comfortable 30-19 lead.
The Cardinals had three players score: McKenzie led with eight, Jacob Sturgell added six and Davis had five at the half.
Barnett finished the half with 18 points for the Hornets.
The Hornets shot 12 for 20 in the first half for 60%, while the Cardinals were 7 of 21 for 33%.
At halftime, Martin County coach Jason James emphasized the need for the Cardinals to make their layups and ignite a comeback in the third quarter. He noted that Magoffin County seemed to be playing with a sense of urgency.
Responding to the coach’s call, the Cardinals rallied in the third quarter, outscoring Magoffin County 20-14 to narrow the deficit to 44-39 heading into the final period. Luke Hale contributed seven points in the third quarter, while Sturgell added six points.
The Cardinals cut the deficit to 44-43 with 7:20 to go in the fourth quarter, but this was as close as they would get. Magoffin County pushed the lead back out and started milking the clock. Martin County was forced to foul while the Hornets hit 13 of 16 free throws and outscored the Cardinals 23-18 in the final period to pull off the upset.
For the game Magoffin County hit 23 of 28 from the free-throw line for 82%. The Cardinals shot 9 of 11 free throws for 82%.
Following the battle, Coach James expressed gratitude for his team’s accomplishments.
“I don’t really have the words to say for how much this group has meant to me and our community,” he remarked. “They are such great kids. They have represented our team and school with class and have set a great example for future Cardinals. Simply put, they are winners.”
The coach highlighted the significant contributions of the senior team members: Blake Maynard, Dray Duff, Luke Hale, Brayden McKenzie, Jacob Sturgell and Jake Gauze.
“Tonight didn’t go our way, but that shouldn’t overshadow all of their achievements,” said James. “In their four years, they have produced three district championships, two 15th Region championships, one All ‘A’ Regional championship, and two 15th Region runner-up titles. That’s special and maybe one of the best runs ever for boys basketball in Martin County. Blake, Dray, Luke, Brayden, Jake, and Jake Gauze are going to be very successful in life and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. I wish I could have gotten them over the hump one more time.”
Hale led Martin County with 13 points, McKenzie and Sturgell each finished with 12, Davis added nine, Devan Maynard netted eight, and Cameron Dials chipped in three.
Barnett scored 34 points to lead Magoffin County. Walker Russell followed with 16, Grayson Whitaker added six, Zane Whitaker scored five, Ethan Salyer chipped in four, and Medows contributed two.
Three Cardinals made the 15th Region All-Tournament Team: Hale, McKenzie and Sturgell.
To the forthcoming Cardinals, Coach James offered these words: “Get ready because the bar has been set high, and I have no intentions of going backward. We will be back.”
Magoffin County opens play in the Sweet 16 at 11 a.m. March 20 at Rupp Arena, taking on Perry County out of the 14th Region. The winner of that contest will move to the Elite 8 at 11 a.m. March 22 against the winner between Region 8 and Region 11. Another win would put them in the Final 4 at 11 a.m. March 23. The state championship game is set for 7:30 p.m. March 23.
