Cardinals capture 15th Region All ‘A’ Classic championship

Martin County won the 15th Region All “A” Classic boys’ basketball championship at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville on Saturday, Jan. 14. Photo courtesy of Martin County High School

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PIKEVILLE — Martin County pushed past Pikeville 72-70 in the 15th Region All “A” Classic championship game at Appalachian Wireless Arena on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Pikeville suffered the loss after claiming back-to-back 15th Region All “A” Classic titles and is the reigning statewide champion.

A member of the 57th District, the Cardinals notched their 12th straight win and improved to 14-2.

Following the loss, Pikeville dropped to 10-5.

Martin County edged Pikeville 15-13 in the first quarter but faced a one-point deficit midway through the tournament title game.

Pikeville clung to a 31-30 lead at halftime.

Then, Pikeville led 52-49 at the end of the third quarter.

But Martin County saved its best for last in the title game. Determined Martin County outscored Pikeville 23-18 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.

Brayden McKenzie scored 20 points to lead Martin County to the win. In addition to McKenzie reaching double figures for the Cardinals, Matt Linville scored 14 points and Luke Ray netted 12 points.

Finishing outside of double figures, Dray Duff (nine points), Peyton Davis (seven points), Jacob Sturgell (six points) and Blake Maynard (four points) provided the rest of Martin County’s scoring.

Rylee Samons scored a game-high 36 points to lead the Panthers. Joining Samons in double figures for Pikeville, Charlie Fitzer scored 16 points and Eli Johnson netted 10 points.

Rounding out Pikeville’s scoring, Ian Onkst and Josh Hughes chipped in six points and two points, respectively.

Martin County is scheduled to meet Harlan in the first round of the All “A” Classic statewide tournament at Eastern Kentucky University’s McBrayer Arena in Richmond on Thursday, Jan. 26.