Cardinals defeat Bulldogs on Senior Night

STAFF REPORT

BSN

INEZ — In a battle of title contenders from bordering regions, Martin County defeated Hazard 93-80 on Sunday, Feb. 15.

Martin County improved to 17-6 after notching the win.

The Cardinals benefitted from a strong offensive effort.

Martin County, which won on Senior Night, shot 56.1 percent (37-of-66) from the field. The Cardinals shot 38.7 percent (12-of-31) from three-point range.

Martin County shot 87.5 percent (seven-of-eight) from the free throw line.

Four different players reached double figures in Martin County’s scoring column.

Braxton Keathley led Martin County to the win. Keathley poured in a game-high 41 points for the Cardinals. A junior who transferred from Prestonsburg to Martin County, Keathley is currently ranked second in scoring in the state.

Joining Keathley in double figures for Martin County, Bryson Dials scored 18 points, Devan Maynard netted 12 points and Eli Mills tallied 11 points.

Six players accounted for all of Martin County’s scoring. Alan Moore (six points) and Brayden Marcum (five points) also produced provided scoring for the Cardinals.

Hazard shot 52.4 percent (33-of-63) from the field. The Bulldogs shot 30.4 percent (seven-of-23) from three-point range.

Hazard shot 70.0 percent (seven-of-10) from the free throw line.

Seth Caudill (22 points), Trace Kincaid (21 points), Talan Osborne (17 points) and Tucker Napier (12 points) each reached double figures in scoring for the Bulldogs.

Chipping in offensively for Hazard, Javion Fullwood (six points) and Tucker Johnson (two points) each finished outside double figures in scoring.

Martin County and Hazard met for the first time since the 2023-24 boys’ high school basketball season.