[Red and Black]

I’ve been big on Martin county all year, most of you can see that if you go back and look at my posts. I think they’re the deepest, most talented, most athletic team in the region. This matchup is a decent one for Pburg though. I think Watts and Keithley are the two best players on the floor and the gap between them is probably a push. Then you go down to maybe Maynard and Estep for Martin and Napier and Allen for Pburg as the #2 and 3 guys, which honestly isn’t a bad matchup just looking at the top 3 players on each team. The problem for Pburg is when you start talking about the guard play, and that’s where I think Martin has a distinct advantage. Their guards are better passers, handlers, defenders and shooters than Pburgs. I think for Pburg to win this game they will need to keep the Martin co guards from getting hot and figure out a way to get the ball up the floor consistently and not turn the dang ball over before they get across mid court, which almost killed them against pikeville. Pburg guards will have to play smart, fast, complete basketball. Slone, Reynolds and Schutts don’t need to score a lot, but they will need to be a presence rebounding, getting steals, getting the ball across mid court, playing tough defense and distributing to the scorers all night long while limiting turnovers. I hope they can do it, because Martin’s got guards that will absolutely make them pay if they’re sloppy or indecisive or lazy. It’ll be a big test and I hope our boys rise up to the occasion. I think we will do it!

Pburg- 66
Martin- 65

Hail Blackcats!