Pikeville, Ky — Martin Co. ( 21-12 ) will play for a 15th Region title for the first time since 1983 after a thrilling 62-59 overtime victory over Pikeville ( 17-12 ) in the semifinals Saturday at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.
Brady Dingess tied the score at 60 apiece with 13 seconds left on a free throw and then picked up a steal and went coast to coast for the three point play with 4 seconds left to send Martin Co. into the 15th Region Championship game.
The Cards led 44-36 with just over two minutes left before Pikeville rallied to send the game into overtime tied at 50.
All five Cardinal starters were in double figures led by Brady Dingess with 16 points and 8 rebounds, Braxton Maynard had 15 points including 3 three pointers and 7 rebounds, Jordan Dalton 11 points, Ethan Smith-Mills had 10 points and 6 rebounds, Trey James 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Martin Co. hit 4 of 13 three pointers and went 26 of 32 from the charity stripe.
The Panthers were led by Rylee Sammons with 26 points, Connor Byers 12 points, Grayson Harris 9 points, Seth Pugh 7 points, Nick Robinson 3 points and John Flannery 2 points.
Pikeville hit 6 of 18 from the three point line and 9 of 13 from the free throw line.
MCHS 11 4 13 22 12 = 62
PHS 5 13 7 25 9 = 59
Martin Co. will play Monday night at 7:00 against Lawrence Co. for a chance to play in Rupp Arena. The Cards swept the Dawgs in the regular season.
Martin County crowd erupts after regional semifinal win last night VIDEO
Number 15 on pikeville got but hurt cause they hate loosing