MARTIN COUNTY, KY. (WMDJ) — WMDJ Sports tipped off the 2025?26 basketball season from Inez as Floyd Central traveled to face Martin County.

Under new head coach Matthew Perry, the Jaguars entered as a dark horse contender in the 15th Region. Martin County, already a top?3 favorite, added the state’s leading scorer Braxton Keathley to an impressive roster.

Both teams pushed the pace early, though shots weren’t falling in the opening quarter. Floyd Central held a slim 14?13 lead after one. In the second, Martin County sophomore Brayden Marcum provided a spark off the bench with two big threes — one converted into a four?point play — and strong defense. The Cardinals took a 31?28 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw momentum swing back and forth. Floyd Central’s James Samons scored 8 of his 15 points, while Martin County’s Eli Mills answered with back?to?back threes. The Jaguars tied it at 51 heading into the fourth after a 7?0 run capped by free throws from Chris Spriggs.

But the final frame belonged to Martin County. Three straight Floyd Central turnovers fueled an 8?0 Cardinal run to start the quarter, and they never looked back. Outscoring the Jaguars 22?12 in the fourth, Martin County secured a 73?63 victory to open the season.

Stat Leaders
Martin County

Braxton Keathley: 25 points (8/19 FG, 6/6 FT), 9 rebounds, 6 assists

Bryson Dials: 21 points (8/12 FG, 4/7 3PT)

Devan Maynard: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists

Floyd Central

Chris Spriggs: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists

James Samons: 15 points, 4 rebounds

Lucas Howard: 13 points, 14 rebounds

Team Shooting

Martin County: 46% FG (26/51), 36% 3PT (13/36), 77% FT (10/13)

Floyd Central: 47% FG (27/58), 7% 3PT (1/14), 53% FT (8/15)

Rebounds

Floyd Central: 39

Martin County: 23

Both teams now turn their attention to weekend tournament play. Martin County travels to Pike Central for the DJ Begley Boys Basketball Classic to face Perry Central.

Floyd Central hits the road to Prestonsburg for a 58th District doubleheader and we'll be there to cover the action. The girl's game is set to tip off at 6:00pm with the boy's game following approximately 20 minutes after, and you can watch and listen to every second of both games on WMDJ FM 100.1, Facebook, YouTube, our mobile app, and online at WMDJFM.com.