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A RESOLUTION honoring the Martin County High School Cardinals, 2023 1
KHSAA Boys Basketball 15th Region Champions. 2
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2023, at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, the 3
Martin County Cardinals defeated the Panthers of Pikeville High School by a score of 55 4
to 53 to capture the 2023 Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Boys 5
15th Region Basketball Championship and advance to the Sweet Sixteen Boys State 6
Tournament; and 7
WHEREAS, heading into the 2023 Boys Sweet Sixteen at Rupp Arena, the 8
Cardinals boast a record of 24-10 and are the only team in school history to win the 15th 9
Region All A Championship, the 57th District Championship, and the 15th Region 10
Championship in the same season; and 11
WHEREAS, 2023 marks just the third time the Cardinals have qualified for the 12
state tournament, and because the 2020 squad that won the 15th Region fell victim to the 13
cancellation of that year's tournament, the 2023 appearance falls on the 40-year 14
anniversary of the only other appearance by Martin County's predecessor school, Sheldon 15
Clark; and 16
WHEREAS, Martin County’s athleticism, size, and skill have allowed them to play 17
an exciting and up-tempo brand of basketball that has consistently brought out record 18
crowds both at home and away throughout the 2023 season; and 19
WHEREAS, the young Cardinals, who only have one Senior on the entire roster, 20
have had a season of great highs, including a school-record 17-game winning streak, as 21
well as great challenges, such as an eight-game losing streak to conclude the regular 22
season; and 23
WHEREAS, the Cardinals have shown great resiliency in bouncing back as 24
tournament play started, beating Paintsville on the road to win the 57th District crown, 25
surviving an overtime game against Lawrence County in the 15th Region semifinals, and 26
defeating Pikeville for the second time this year in the 15th Region final; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1818
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WHEREAS, members of the Cardinals include Peyton Davis, Bryson Dials, Dray 1
Duff, Brayden Estep, Ethan Ferrell, Luke Hale, Matthew Linville, Blake Maynard, Devan 2
Maynard, Brayden McKenzie, Eli Mills, BJ Parsley, and Jacob Sturgell; and 3
WHEREAS, the Cardinals are coached by Jason James, who, in eight years, has led 4
the Cardinals to two regional championships; and 5
WHEREAS, the dedication, talent, and sacrifice of the Martin County Cardinals 6
should serve as a model for prep athletes across the Commonwealth, and they are worthy 7
of public recognition; 8
NOW, THEREFORE, 9
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 10
Kentucky: 11
Section 1. The members of the Senate join Senator Phillip Wheeler in 12
congratulating the Martin County Cardinals Boys Basketball team upon winning the 15th 13
Region Championship, saluting their hard work and dedication, and wishing them good 14
fortune, both in the upcoming Sweet Sixteen Tournament and in all future endeavors. 15
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this Resolution to 16
Senator Phillip Wheeler for presentation to the team. 17