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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…
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Lady Cards roll past Lady Bulldogs in 15th Region opener
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISA — Behind a dominant double-double from Maci Maynard and steady senior play from Chloe May and Sophie Harless, the Martin County Lady Cardinals defeated the Lawrence County Bulldogs 56-41 in the opening round of the 15th Region tournament Saturday. Postseason basketball often brings familiar faces back across the floor. When…
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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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Estep places fourth KHSAA Girls State Wrestling Championships
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LEXINGTON — Martin County High School wrestler Kenleigh Estep made history Saturday in the KHSAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament at Alltech Arena in Lexington. The seventh-grader finished fourth in the state in the 100-pound weight class, becoming the first female from Martin County to place in the state tournament. Estep opened her…
