The Johnson Central varsity basketball team (Paintsville, KY) will host a home conference game against Martin County (Inez, KY) today at 7:30 p.m.

Johnson Central vs Martin County Game Info:

What: Kentucky High School Basketball
Who: Johnson Central (KY) vs Martin County (KY)
When: Friday, January 3, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Johnson Central vs Martin County

The upcoming basketball matchup between Martin County and Johnson Central promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams are currently displaying impressive records and form.

Team Records

• Martin County (24-25):
  Record: 10-2 overall
  Home: 5-0
  Away: 2-0
  Neutral: 3-2
  Win Percentage: .833
  Points For: 944
  Points Against: 721
• Johnson Central (24-25):
  Record: 5-4 overall, 1-0 district
  Home: 2-1
  Away: 2-2
  Neutral: 1-1
  Win Percentage: .556
  District Win Percentage: 1.000
  Points For: 632
  Points Against: 563

Scoring and Game Flow

Martin County has been a powerhouse offensively, averaging 78.7 points per game across four quarters, with standout performances in Q1 (27.0) and Q3 (24.0). However, Johnson Central, while averaging fewer points at 70.2 per game, is known for their strong finishes, particularly in the fourth quarter where they average 20.0 points per game.

• Martin County Scoring by Quarter:
  Q1: 27.0, Q2: 19.0, Q3: 24.0, Q4: 12.5
  Total: 78.7 points per game
• Johnson Central Scoring by Quarter:
  Q1: 9.0, Q2: 10.0, Q3: 22.0, Q4: 20.0
  Total: 70.2 points per game

Key Players to Watch

• Martin County:
  • Parker Watts (#13): Leading the team with an impressive 28.8 points per game.
  • Brayden Estep (#0): A strong presence in the paint with 10.0 rebounds per game.
• Johnson Central:
  • Brayden Shepherd (#5): A key scorer for Johnson Central with 22.8 points per game.
  • Austin Slone (#1): A standout player across multiple categories, averaging 5.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.

Head-to-Head: Recent Performance

In their previous head-to-head encounters, Martin County has shown dominance, winning all their common matchups, including victories against teams like Huntington Expression Prep, Pikeville, and Shelby Valley. They have a solid 4-0 record against common opponents, which bodes well for their confidence heading into the game. Johnson Central, meanwhile, has had mixed results, with a 1-1 record against the same set of common opponents, including a close loss to Shelby Valley.

• Common Opponents Record:
  • Martin County: 4-0
  • Johnson Central: 1-1

Statistical Comparison

When comparing team statistics, Martin County has the advantage in points per game and rebounds per game, where they outpace Johnson Central by a considerable margin (27.8 vs. 23.7 rebounds). Johnson Central has shown strength in assists and steals, with Austin Slone leading in both categories.

• Points per Game:
  • Martin County: 27.8
  • Johnson Central: 70.2
• Rebounds per Game:
  • Martin County: 13.3
  • Johnson Central: 23.7
• Assists per Game:
  • Martin County: No data available
  • Johnson Central: 14.4
• Steals per Game:
  • Martin County: No data available
  • Johnson Central: 8.1

Upcoming Matchups

The teams will meet twice this season. The first game will take place today at 7:30 PM at Johnson Central in Paintsville, KY, followed by a rematch on Friday, January 31, at Martin County in Inez, KY.

Conclusion

While Martin County has been the more dominant team overall this season, their meeting with Johnson Central is sure to be a challenging contest. Johnson Central has the tools to be competitive, especially with strong performances in key areas like steals and assists, along with the versatility of players like Austin Slone. As the game approaches, the battle between Parker Watts and Brayden Shepherd, combined with the contrasting team styles, promises a high-energy, exciting matchup. Will Martin County maintain its perfect road record, or will Johnson Central find a way to pull off an upset at home? Time will tell.