Preseason test at Kennadi Mollett game in Zip Zone
BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Fresh off an All ‘A’ regional championship and a 16-10 season (11-5 region, 3-4 district), Martin County brings back interior size and perimeter shooting, plus a senior backcourt determined to lead.
The Lady Cards outscored opponents 1,396–1,275 last year behind rebounding (35.3 per game) and timely free throws (315 made).
Sophomore center Maci Maynard anchors the paint after averaging 11.9 points and 12.3 rebounds on 54.3% shooting and 70.8% at the line.
Senior Chloe May (9.0 ppg; team-high 48 threes; 73.2% FT) stretches the floor, eighth grader Makenna Marcum (5.0 ppg; 37.1% from three) adds spacing, and senior Sophie Harless (4.3 ppg; 4.6 rpg) stabilizes the wing.
Emerging contributors Annaleigh Davis, Desirae Gullett, Alivia Stacy and Zoe Sammons deepen the rotation. Davis has been ranked 19th in the 2029 class by Prep Girls Hoops to start the season.
The senior captains say the expectations fit a group that is ranked No. 2 in the region heading into the preseason.
“I think since we’re ranked high in the preseason, teams are going to want to beat us at the top,” Harless said. “We just have to push each other in practice and be ready.”
May said the schedule brings “a lot of good competition this season.”
“I think we can pull another title out this year,” she said.
Both seniors pointed to the underclassmen’s impact.
“They’re really contributing and giving us energy,” Harless said. “They’re always hyping us up.”
May echoed her teammate’s confidence.
“A lot of work to do, but they are willing to listen and push themselves in practice to the best of their ability,” May said.
Leadership is the theme for their final campaign.
Harless set the tone for what that means.
“I think being good leaders on and off the court is important for them,” Harless said. “If they see us being good role models, pushing each other, not taking it easy on drills, hopefully they take something from that.”
May finished the thought with her own perspective.
“Any problems, they can come to us about it,” May added. “We want to fix it, and we want to be a sisterhood.”
The pair began their journey together at Inez Elementary.
“It’s just been a part of my life since I was little,” May said. “It’s unreal, this is our last year. Sophie and I started playing together when we were young and have been together since.”
An unbreakable bond between the duo through the ups and downs has brought them to this point.
“It doesn’t feel real yet,” Harless said. “I think it will hit us. We really need to make this year our best, be there for each other, and give it all we’ve got.”
An early spotlight arrives Nov. 29 at the Zip Zone Classic in the Kennadi Mollett Game, where the Lady Cards take on Phelps.
“I was injured last year, so I’m ready to get back out there for it this season,” May said.
Harless is looking forward to the Zip Zone Classic.
“We have a lot of good teams playing each other,” she said. “We have scouts that will be there. It’s a huge event.”
With Maynard’s interior presence and perimeter experience from May, Marcum and Harless, the Lady Cards have the profile to defend their All ‘A’ crown and contend in the 57th District and 15th Region.
Martin County begins the regular season Dec. 6 in the Madison Central Shoot Out against St. Henry.