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Martin County Cards advance in 15th Region Tournament
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Braxton Keathley and Bryson Dials combined for 65 points to lead Martin County past Betsy Layne 90-69 Feb. 28 in Inez and advance in the 15th Region Tournament. Keathley led the Cardinals with 35 points on 15-of-25 shooting, burying five 3-pointers on 11 attempts. The junior added six rebounds,
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Martin County Cardinals finish as 57th District runner-up
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Martin County, making its fifth straight appearance in the district title game and seeking its fifth consecutive championship, finished as 57th District runner-up for the 2025-26 season. The Cards entered the tournament as the top seed after securing the regular-season title, but fell to Johnson Central 93-79 in the
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Braxton Keathley surpasses 3,000-point mark
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Braxton Keathley continues to etch his name into Kentucky high school basketball history. The Martin County superstar surpassed the 3,000-point mark for his varsity career Feb. 26 during the 57th District championship, adding another milestone to an already remarkable résumé. Keathley, a highly coveted Division I recruit and widely
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Panthers claw Billies on Senior Night
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — It was Senior Night for the Tug Valley Panthers as four upperclassmen played their final regular-season game at the TVHS gym at Naugatuck. The four included Braydun Ferris, Bryson Elia, Carson Newsome and Jace Hale. They did not disappoint the hometown crowd, downing regional rival Man 73-56
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Martin County Cardinals find rhythm
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
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Martin County closes season with 82-72 win at Shelby Valley
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — Martin County closed the regular season Feb. 18 with an 82-72 road win at Shelby Valley. Coach Jason “JJ” James’ Cardinals shot 29-of-61 from the field (47.5%), connected on 16-of-39 from 3-point range (41%) and went 8-of-10 at the free-throw line in an offensive effort powered by big performances
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Tug Valley goes 2-1 in grueling week
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Tug Valley’s week unfolded like a postseason preview — an overtime stumble, a statement home win and a hard-earned road victory against higher-class competition. The No. 1-ranked Panthers fell 64-52 in overtime to Huntington St. Joe on Feb. 18, then answered with back-to-back wins over Tucker County and Bluefield to
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Tug Valley Panthers make Belfry Pirates walk the plank
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — It was a border war between two solid high school basketball programs from the area Feb. 17 as the regular season winds down. In the end, Belfry found out how tough it is for visiting teams to play at the Tug Valley High School gym in front
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Dials sets record with 13 3-pointers as Martin County overwhelms Pike Central
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — Bryson Dials put on a shooting clinic Feb. 16 in Pike County. The sophomore splashed a school-record 13 3-pointers and finished with 49 points as Martin County overwhelmed Pike Central 113-86. Dials turned the gym into his personal shooting gallery in a performance that will be talked about for
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Martin County Cardinals roll past Hazard on Senior Night
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County rolled past Hazard 93-80 on Senior Night, Feb. 15 at home. Before tipoff, the Cardinals honored senior players, cheerleaders, dancers and the team mascot at center court. Seniors Eli Mills, Braxton Maynard, Devan Maynard, Alan Moore and Tanner Jennings played their final game in the Martin County gym.
