BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — It is that magical time of year again for basketball fans across Kentucky. Fans from all directions will flock to Martin County High School on Nov. 30 to take in the state’s premier preseason event, the Zip Zone Express Tip Off Classic.
This event, the unofficial start to the high school basketball season, is on every basketball fan’s calendar for the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Fans get entertained by some of the top teams and players in the state—and this year’s field does not disappoint.
Martin County head coach Jason James, the event organizer, is excited about the slate.
“We have another great lineup this year,” he said. “We’re bringing back state champions Lyon County, state runner-up Harlan County and traditional powerhouses like Ashland, Boyd County, Adair County, Breathitt County, Hazard, Johnson Central and Newport. We also have George Washington coming down from Charleston, and they’re the favorites to win the state Class AAA title this year.”
James added, “Chapmanville and Tug Valley are always strong, and it’ll be the first time a lot of people in Kentucky get to watch Parker Watts play. It’s going to be another great day of basketball.”
The day’s action kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Martin County Middle School Cardinals facing the Kermit Blue Devils.
At 11 a.m., Coach Mathew Taylor’s Shelby Valley Wildcats will take on the Chapmanville Tigers led by Coach Brad Napier. Chapmanville has added two transfers, Colton Brock and Jay Brock, to bolster their lineup.
The 12:15 p.m. matchup features the Ashland Tomcats, last year’s 16th Region champion, against the Breathitt County Bobcats. Ashland (23-11 last season) returns senior Zander Carter, who averaged 23 points per game and has signed to play at Liberty University. Breathitt County returns senior Austin Sperry, who averaged 22 points per game last season and has received offers from several Division I programs, including Morehead State and Ohio University.
At 1:35 p.m., the Hazard Bulldogs will take on Newport. Hazard (27-6 last season), the 54th District champions, returns senior Evin Eversole, averaging 21 points per game last season, and junior Seth Caudill with 18 ppg. Newport, the 9th Region champion, finished last season with an impressive 32-4 record.
In the 2:50 p.m. game, Boyd County will square off against Adair County. Boyd County, coming off a 27-7 season, is led by junior guard Jacob Spurlock who averaged 22 ppg and has received offers from Marshall University and Youngstown State. Adair County (29-9 last season) returns senior guards Connor Loy and Isaiah Cochran after winning the 5th Region championship.
The 4:05 p.m. game promises to be a thrilling rematch of the 2024 KHSAA State championship as Lyon County faces Harlan County. Lyon County, the state champions (36-3 last season), defeated Harlan County (34-5) 67-58 in the final of the Sweet 16. Both teams lost their star players in Travis Perry of Lyon County, the state’s all-time leading scorer, and Trent Noah of Harlan County. Both signed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.
The Martin County Lady Cardinals and the Tug Valley Panthers will clash at 5:35 p.m. The Lady Cardinals, who finished last season with a 21-12 record, are rebuilding after losing four starters to graduation. Junior Brooke Marcum is the only returning starter. Maci Maynard, a 6-foot-4 freshman, will hold down the center position and is ranked 8th in the Class of 2028 by Kentucky Premier.
Tug Valley returns key players in senior McKenzie Browning and juniors Haven Deskins, Bailey Hall and Katelyn Richardson.
At 6:40 p.m., Johnson Central will face George Washington out of Charleston, West Virginia. The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore Austin Slone who averaged 27 points per game last season.
In the final game of the day at 8 p.m., the Martin County Cardinals will meet Tug Valley, the defending Class A state champion from West Virginia. The Cardinals (23-10 last season) lost four starters. They will rely on seniors Peyton Davis and Parker Watts and juniors Devin Maynard and Eli Mills. Freshman Bryson Dials is also expected to make an impact.
Tug Valley, the West Virginia Class A state champion, will bring standouts such as senior Ashton Davis and juniors Bryson Elia and Braydon Ferris.
With a packed schedule featuring some of the state’s best teams and players, the 2024 Zip Zone Express Tip-o1 Classic promises to be a must-attend event for basketball fans.