Martin County turned late Pikeville turnovers into clutch free throws down the stretch and the Cardinals captured the boys’ 15th Region tournament championship, edging the Panthers, 55-53, at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Monday night.
Martin County, now 24-10, will finally get to play at Rupp Arena. The Cardinals won the region title in 2020, but the tournament was cancelled because of COVID.
Luke Hale finished with a game-high 28 points and Jacob Sturgill added 12.
The Panthers, who saw their season end at 22-8, was led by Rylee Samons and Eli Johnson with 13 points each. Josh Hughes chipped in nine.
Samons, a senior, took a potential game-winning three-point shot as time expired. It rimmed out.
Martin County will play Frederick Douglass on March 17.
At Pikeville
(15th Region championship)
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
PV (22-8)……12 13 16 12 – 53
MC (24-10)…14 10 15 16 – 55
Scoring:
Pikeville (53) – Rylee Samons 2(2) 3-4 13; Eli Johnson 2(2) 3-4 13; Heath Jarrell 2 0-0 4; Josh Hughes 3(1) 0-0 9; Charlie Fitzer 6 0-2 12; and Ian Onskt 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16(5) 6-10 53.
Martin County (55) – Dray Duff 1(1) 1-2 6; Luke Hale 4(3) 11-15 28; Brayden McKenzie 1(2) 1-4 9; Jacob Sturgill 3(2) 0-0 12. Totals: 9(8) 13-21 55.