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Martin County storms past Paintsville 93-77; Dials joins 1,000-point club
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Bryson Dials scored his 1,000th career point in highlight fashion, leading Martin County (16-7) to a 93-77 win over Paintsville (11-12) at home Feb. 11 to stay unbeaten in 57th District play. Coach Jason “JJ” James’ Cardinals improved to 6-0 in the 57th District and 9-0 against 15th Region…
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Keathley drops 42 as Martin County blitzes Magoffin County
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN SALYERSVILLE — Martin County did not waste time finding its rhythm on the road Feb. 5. The Cardinals hit the gas early and never let up in a 92-54 blitz of Magoffin County to remain undefeated in the 57th District. After the fast start, Martin County head coach Jason “JJ” James…
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Preece leads JV Cardinals past Hornets
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN SALYERSVILLE — Martin County’s junior varsity built its lead quarter by quarter and pulled away down the stretch to defeat Magoffin County 57-46 on the road Feb. 5. The Cardinals set the tone early, taking a 9-4 advantage after the first quarter and carrying a 27-21 lead into halftime. Martin County…
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Kenleigh Estep wins girls state wrestling title, Maynard finishes third
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN CORBIN — Kenleigh Estep won a Kentucky state championship Feb. 8 at Corbin Arena, becoming the first middle school girl from Martin County to claim a state wrestling title. Estep captured the middle school 95-pound division at the 2026 KFWC Middle School & Youth Girls State Tournament, finishing three of…
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Cardinals finish 2026 KFWCA 1A State Duals Runner-Up
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN CORBIN — Martin County High School Cardinals put together a championship-caliber weekend in Corbin, rolling through the KFWCA 1A State Duals to finish as the runner-up. Coach Josh Muncy’s crew punched their ticket to the semifinals after steamrolling McCreary County 70-12. From there, the Cardinals knocked off Nelson County 57-21…
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Martin County survives late Paintsville push to win 85-77
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Braxton Keathley scored 39 points and Bryson Dials added 26 as Martin County defeated Paintsville 85-77 on the road Feb. 3. The Cardinals jumped out early and held off a late Tigers rally to remain undefeated in district play. Keathley set the tone from the jump with a turnaround,…
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Martin County launches girls wrestling
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN GEORGETOWN — Martin County’s first-ever high school girls wrestling team did not just show up for its debut; it made history. In the program’s inaugural season, the Lady Cardinals carved out a landmark day Jan. 31 at the Lady Cardinal Showcase at Scott County High School. Martin County finished sixth out…
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Aidan Mann to continue baseball career at UPike
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County’s Aidan Mann is heading to the next level. He signed to continue his baseball career at the University of Pikeville in a ceremony Jan. 20 at Martin County High School. making his commitment official in front of family, coaches, teammates and supporters. “We’re excited to get Aidan…
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Martin County Middle School falls on eighth-grade night
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — Martin County Middle School celebrated eighth-grade night Jan. 16, but Williamson edged the Cardinals 31-28 in the varsity game. Kooper Sturgill carried the offensive load with 16 points to lead Martin County. Brayden Hammond and Chucky Leonard chipped in four points apiece. Cardinals Mason Phillips and Landon Estep…
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Dials’ second-half surge lifts Martin County over Johnson Central
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Bryson Dials erupted in the second half and delivered in the big moments as Martin County edged Johnson Central 80-76 on the road Jan. 30. The sophomore iced the game at the free-throw line. “I let the game come to me in the second half,” Dials said. “I got…
