D&D Sports Network Staff
Martin County has been in the conversation for the 15th Region Title the last six or seven years, winning a couple in that time span. You can make a case that Coach Jason James has been the most consistent coach in the 15th Region in recent memory. Along with the Elisha Justice and Tommy McKenzie, those three are the only active coaches that hold multiple Region Championships. With an early look at Coach James’ roster, it’s looking like he’s working on another trip to Lexington if he can get this team to come together. The process starts this week as the Cardinals kick off Summer ball.
Martin County returns a point guard in Peyton Davis who is coming fresh off a season where he broke the school steals record, earning him the prestigious Laithan Hall Award that goes to the Defensive Player of the Year in the Mountains. Davis will probably be looked at as the locker room leader. It will be up to the veteran guard to help Coach James get this squad to gel. Davis is a lot like his Coach – he is very consistent and comes through with big plays in clutch situations. People will be surprised at the way Davis plays this season. He has been one of the most solid players we’ve seen all Summer long. The kid is tough.
Devan Maynard is the difference maker on the team. He has an opportunity to be one of the Top 5 big men in all of the Mountains. Maynard is a super athletic, high flying rim protector that is well rounded on the offensive end too. A lot of folks are predicting Maynard to be QB1 in Inez, and the leadership he learns from that position will help him step up in tough situations on the basketball court too.
Then they return the young gun “Mr. Logo” Bryson Dials – an incoming freshman who started a few games for the Cardinals last season. Dials is known as a long ball shooter with unlimited range, but he may be asked to play a slightly different role this season, probably sharing PG duties with Peyton Davis. Dials has shown the ability to get to the paint the last few times we’ve seen him and has also been dishing out some fancy dimes with his OPB AAU team. Dials could play a pivotal part to the team’s success. How far does he elevate his game over the next few months, and his willingness to maybe play a different role than he is used to could be the difference in this team being good or being great.
The addition of former Prestonsburg SG/SF Jaxon Estridge gives Martin County quite possibly the best defensive backcourt in the Mountains. Estridge also a finalist for the Laithan Hall Award last season, plays passing lanes very well and is great at anticipating what an offensive player is going to do. Whereas Davis is a get up in your face, great on the ball defender. Estridge is one of the most well rounded players in the 15th Region, being super skilled offensively and a three level scoring threat. The veteran wing will continue to grow his game this off-season, and a lot like Davis, he will be one that shocks a lot of basketball fans this coming season. Estridge’s length and athleticism is a game changer. He will help fill a role that Martin County much needed filled. This kid is a stat sheet stuffer, affects every area of the game and makes his teammates better when he’s on the floor with his energy.
Then you have the news that dropped yesterday. Martin County added Parker Watts, who is one of West Virginia’s most prolific scorers. This explosive wing plays above the rim and will look to make a highlight play at every opportunity given. As Martin County PG Peyton Davis said on social media, “This is the final piece to the puzzle.” Watts gives the Cardinals that scoring threat they can go to when they need a bucket during scoring droughts. Now, Watts has a lot to prove. He has as many doubters as any player in the Mountains. Can he adjust to Kentucky basketball, and can he play in a system? Those questions will have to be answered. Watts is an elite talent, and from Day 1 he will be one of the most dangerous players in the Coalfields. Expect him to round out his game under a great coaching staff. This dude is on a mission.
A few players who haven’t seen as much varsity experience but will play monster roles if this team makes it to Rupp are Brayden Estep, Eli Mills and Allan Moore. Estep is a hard nosed guard who Cardinal fans can count on. Estep shoots the ball extremely well from the outside and also has a nice mid-range game. Allan Moore is one of the hardest workers you’ll find. He’s a kid who wants varsity minutes and it shows in his work ethic. Moore will have to continue to improve this Summer, because if there’s any position that’s thin, it’s the front court. Moore will be counted on hugely come November. Then finally we get to Eli Mills. He’s in the game to do two things, create havoc and shoot threes. If he works on his defense, you could see him playing valuable minutes this Winter. He’s fun to watch.
Any knowledgeable basketball fan couldn’t help but look at this roster and get excited about next year’s Martin County Cardinal squad. It will be hard to find a trio of Seniors with as much talent as Davis, Estridge and Watts with all three are ranked as Top 10 players in the 2025 class here in the Mountains. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that any one of them could challenge Jaden Stewart & Ian Onkst for the 15th Region Player of the Year award. Sensational sophomore Devan Maynard is also ranked in the Top 10 in the 2026 class. He is super athletic and versatile. The Cardinals have a difference making Big in Maynard. On top of that you add Top 5 2028 prospect in Bryson Dials who continues to get better every time he hits the hardwood, showing his unlimited potential. Then you surround those five with a fundamentally sound Brayden Estep, a top notch shooter like Eli Mills and a quality backup post player in Allan Moore, you can see why Cardinal fans are starting to get a little gritty.
Coach James isn’t one to toot his own horn, but he’s done a great job of creating a culture that outsiders want to be a part of and mixing it with great homegrown talent. James also does a tremendous job of managing egos. All eight of the names mentioned above are unselfish and want to see each other succeed. Those aren’t the only players who could play big roles this season. Senior transfer Aiden Armstrong, along with freshman threesome Jaxon Pack, Aiden Copeland & Chase Hinkle could also see action throughout the season. From top to bottom, this roster is one of the best you will find in the Mountains. Don’t just come watch the varsity. Get to the games early because the JV team will put on a show too.
We won’t guarantee anything when it comes to predicting the 15th Region, but what we will tell you is, Coach James has a great shot of winning his third Regional title and making it once again to the Sweet 16. Martin County is at the top of the list with teams like Pikeville, Johnson Central, Paintsville, Pike Central and dark horse candidates like Shelby Valley, Lawrence County and Betsy Layne. The Cardinals have the Jimmy & Joes but can they figure out the X & Os? Jason James will lean heavily on Jaryd Crum, Mike Dingess, PJ Harris, Josh Penix and Kevin Dials more then he ever has, but if they can make the pieces to the puzzle fit, Inez may be throwing a party next March!!
