BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — By February, Martin County was no longer searching for its identity. It had one.
The No. 1 seed in the 57th District Tournament, the Cardinals finished the regular season 19-8. They scored 2,154 points in 27 games — nearly 80 per night — while shooting 50.7% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. Coach Jason “JJ” James’ team outscored opponents, stretched them, spaced them and, at times, overwhelmed them.
At the center of it all was a scorer having a season few will forget.
Junior Braxton Keathley delivered one of the most prolific regular seasons in recent program history, pouring in 878 points, an average of 32.5 per game.
He scored at every level — 226 two-point field goals, 97 three-pointers and 135 free throws — while shooting 57.1% from the floor and 83.9% from the line. He also pulled down 248 rebounds (9.2 per game), impacting both ends of the floor.
When the Cardinals needed a bucket, they knew where to look.
But this was never a one-man show.
Sophomore guard Bryson Dials emerged as a major offensive force, finishing with 504 points (18.7 per game). He drilled 90 three-pointers, attacked off the bounce and shot 47.8% overall while adding 145 rebounds (5.4 per game).
Senior Eli Mills provided perimeter consistency with 258 points (9.6 per game) and 71 made threes, shooting nearly 40% from deep.
Senior Devan Maynard supplied balance and toughness inside and out, scoring 218 points (8.4 per game) while leading the team on the glass with 258 rebounds, nearly 10 per contest. His 75 two-point baskets and 17 three-pointers reflected a versatile offensive role, but his rebounding anchored the defense.
Sophomore Brayden Marcum added 165 points (6.3 per game), connecting on 32 three-pointers and 61 total field goals while shooting 45.5% from the floor.
Senior Alan Moore rounded out the core with 90 points and 140 rebounds (5.2 per game). While his scoring came primarily inside — 43 made field goals — his rebounding and physical presence helped steady the lineup.
Together, that group gave Martin County scoring at every position.
The Cardinals made 310 three-pointers in 27 games — more than 11 per contest.
Keathley (97), Dials (90), Mills (71) and Marcum (32) forced defenses to extend well beyond the arc. Once they did, driving lanes opened. Once help came, the ball swung to shooters.
Spacing became a weapon.
Martin County’s offense was explosive and efficient.
The Cardinals converted 810 of 1,598 field goal attempts and shot 79.2% from the free-throw line, an important detail in tight finishes.
Keathley, Dials and Mills all shot above 80% from the stripe, turning late possessions into points and protecting leads.
For a team that could light up the scoreboard, rebounding quietly shaped many wins.
Maynard’s 258 rebounds set the pace. Keathley (248), Dials (145) and Moore (140) followed, helping the Cardinals average 35.4 rebounds per game and limit second-chance opportunities.
Defense turned into transition. Rebounds became rhythm.
A 19-8 regular season reflects cohesion.
Veteran leadership from Maynard, Mills and Moore blended with the rise of Keathley and Dials. Role players accepted minutes and responsibilities. The offense found balance between perimeter firepower and interior toughness.
By the time the regular season closed, Martin County was refining.
And with scoring depth, rebounding strength and proven efficiency, the Cardinals carry momentum into the 57th District Tournament.