BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PIKEVILLE — The final buzzer sounded on the Martin County Lady Cards season March 3 in the 15th Region Tournament. Coach Robin Newsome’s team lost to the Pikeville Panthers 47-26 at Pike County Central.
“We are very fortunate to be able to play a game that we love,” Coach Newsome reflected on the year. “We don’t always get the outcome we want, but we had a blessed season.”
After losing four seniors who saw the starting lineup every season of their high school year, a lot of people counted the Lady Cards out in what was deemed a rebuilding year.
“We came into the season with a whole new group,” said Newsome. “No one really gave us a shot coming into the season. These kids came together and fought.”
The team defied expectations after finishing 16-10 overall on the season, 11-5 in region play, and earned the two seed in the 57th District Tournament.
Junior Brooke Marcum fired in 16 points to lead the red and white and grabbed four rebounds in the final game of the year.
Maci Maynard pulled down seven off the glass and bucketed four points. She finished the season leading the 15th Region in rebounding at 12.3 per game. Maynard averaged a double-double with 11.9 points per game and has picked up interest from a number of colleges as a freshman.
Junior Sophie Harless notched four points and three rebounds. Classmate Chloe May added two points and two boards.
Senior Candace Spaulding played her last game as a Lady Cardinal. She secured three rebounds in her final debut.
Spaulding recently received an offer from Alice Lloyd College and hopes to continue her career at the next level.
“She had the best season of her career,” Coach Newsome said of the senior leader. “She stepped up and played a huge role in our success. She will be missed.”
Spaulding averaged 7.4 points per contest and was second on the team in rebounding at 5.8 per game.
The Lady Cards concluded their year as the All “A” 15th Region champion. They went to the state tournament in Owensboro for the first time.
“To be a part of winning the first ever All ‘A’ championship for our school was something I will forever remember and be grateful for,” said Newsome. “I’m so proud of this group. They have made me a better person and coach with all the adversity we faced to start the season.”
The team faced the tragedy of former Lady Cardinal Kennadi Mollett’s death at the beginning of the season. With the impact that she had on people’s lives, this group of girls will play every season they have remaining with her in their hearts.
“We fought all season to try and make some sense of the loss of Kennadi,” shared Newsome. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. They played for her.”
