BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PIKEVILLE — Martin County standouts Bryson Dials and Braxton Keathley were named to the 15th Region All-Tournament Team after turning in strong performances throughout the tournament.

The duo powered Martin County to a pair of postseason wins before the Cardinals’ season came to an end in a 70-61 loss to Pikeville in the regional semifinals March 7.

Keathley was dominant from start to finish in the tournament, pouring in 104 points over three games and consistently delivering on both ends of the floor. Dials added 56 points while contributing across the stat sheet as a scorer, playmaker and defender.

Martin County opened the tournament Feb. 28 with a 90-69 win over Betsy Layne.

Dials scored 30 points in the victory on 8-of-10 from 2-point range. He knocked down four triples and finished at 52.2% from the floor. Dials added six rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Keathley was equally impressive in the opening-round win. He fired in 35 points on 60% shooting. He also totaled six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

The Cardinals followed with a 78-60 win over Belfry in the quarterfinals March 5.

Keathley finished with 34 points on 58.8% shooting while also pulling down 11 rebounds, dishing out four assists and recording two steals. He was perfect at the free-throw line, hitting all 13 attempts.

Dials finished with 10 points against the Pirates and filled up the box score with six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

In the semifinals against Pikeville, Martin County battled but could not fully clear the hump in a 70-61 defeat. Dials scored 16 points on 41.2% shooting and added five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Keathley closed out the tournament with 35 points on 46.2% shooting. He also grabbed nine rebounds and recorded two steals.