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Leonard, Pack to represent Martin County in state, regional and national games
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN WARFIELD — Martin County Middle School standouts Chucky Leonard and Braxten Pack are being recognized as two of the best football players in the mountains. The duo has been selected to play in the Kentucky All-State football game June 11-13 at Eastern Kentucky University. The two MCMS athletes will also
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Marcum ties KHSAA single-season steals record
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County sophomore guard Brayden Marcum added his name to the Kentucky high school record book Thursday night, tying the KHSAA single-season steals record during the Cardinals’ 15th Region tournament game against Belfry. Marcum finished the season with 173 steals, matching the state’s single-season mark while establishing himself as
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Gavin Stepp receives offer
Martin County High School’s Gavin Stepp during a game at Knott Central last season. Stepp received his first college offer to continue his football career at Bethel College. During his senior campaign, Stepp played in all 12 games, recording 15 receptions for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 13 receiving yards per game. (Citizen photo
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March Madness is here
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — It is that time of the year again. March Madness is here, and last year’s bracket challenge was so successful that we are doing it again. The official brackets will be printed in next week’s edition of the Mountain Citizen. They will be the only bracket allowed in our
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Jewell named Region 8 Most Outstanding Wrestler; Cards earn multiple All-Region honors
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County wrestling placed a strong contingent on the Region 8 All-Region Team, with several Cardinals earning postseason honors for their performances during the 2025-26 season. Leading the way, eighth-grader Brody Jewell earned First Team All-Region honors and the Region 8 Most Outstanding Wrestler award, as voted by
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Kentucky’s identity: The Inconsistents
Kentucky basketball has been searching for its identity all season. We have seen the highs and we have seen the lows. And just when we think this team is finally starting to mesh, it feels like it all starts falling apart at the seams again. If I had to describe this team in one simple
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Martin County Cardinals sink Pirates’ ship in 15th Region tournament
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — The Road to Rupp continued for the Cardinals after Martin County made the Pirates walk the plank Thursday night. Martin County defeated Belfry 78-60 in the quarterfinals of the 15th Region Tournament at Appalachian Wireless Arena behind a 34-point, 11-rebound double-double from Braxton Keathley. The Cardinals came out firing
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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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First State Bank Player of the Week: Kenleigh Estep
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Kenleigh Estep is the First State Bank Player of the Week. The Martin County seventh-grader made history Feb. 28 for Martin County High School. She became the first female wrestler from the county to place at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Girls State Wrestling Championships. Competing at
