High school basketball is the pride and joy of Marshall County, and this season has been one to remember as the Marshals are the best team in Region 1 for the first time in over a decade.

They have had one of their best seasons since the 2011-2012 school year, beating their opponents by an average of 16.5 points. This results from their 50% shooting from the floor and 37% shooting from three.

Not only is their offense playing at a high level, but their defense is as well, holding their opponents to an average of 50.9 points per game. This places them in the top 25 teams in the state of Kentucky in this category, and gives them a serious advantage on the court. 

Marshall County is playing at a high level on both sides of the court, led by sophomore forward Matthew Langhi, who has impressed game after game for someone as young as him. Marshall County Head Coach Sawyer Donohoo says Langhi has a big impact on the team.

“It’s great, having a guy that can do all of the things that Langhi can do,” Donohoo said. “But it’s sometimes challenging, because he’s still growing, you know? Leadership is a tricky thing, and figuring out how to do that effectively is not something that most young kids succeed at… He’s still growing up right before our eyes.”

Langhi has averaged 20 points per game on his way to leading the team to a 26-1 overall record, and a 14-1 record against teams in their region. The team is fully aware of the history they could make this year by finishing first in the region for the first time since 2012, and Coach Donohoo knows how big of a deal it would be.

“It would be a great achievement,” Donohoo said. “Before the season, none of us said we would be here 26-1. I feel like we played a tough schedule, but it’s something to be proud of at the same time. I’ve said all season this is just practice until the tournament starts. So, it’s a great thing, but at the same time it’s kind of pointless if we go out in the postseason and lay an egg.”

After the season is over, Marshall will have some challenges heading into the state tournament, as one of their most influential players is sidelined for the rest of the year. Senior guard Alex Staples has been one of the leaders of the team all season, but in a game against Mayfield earlier this month, he tore his ACL, relegating him to the bench for the remainder of the season. 

The team knows how hard it’s going to be without Staples, but Langhi is using it as motivation going into the postseason.

“Our mentality is to just play for him,” Langhi said. “He would give everything he had to be on the court, so we’re going to give all we have to play like he would and make up for it.”

Staples was averaging 13.5 points on over 50% shooting from the field and just under 90% from the free throw line. As a senior, Staples was one of the guys that the team looked to for guidance and leadership, and not having that in the state tournament will be an adjustment for the team. Despite that, Coach Donohoo has faith that his guys can get the job done in the face of adversity.

“We feel like we have to be the toughest team, especially with Alex’s injury. We’ve told them that they have to play with a chip on their shoulder. It’s not fair, but it’s here, so we have to embrace it, play with a little chip, and see what happens.”

The Marshals have had a historic season so far this year and will be looking to continue that going into the postseason. Donohoo’s mentality is to go as far as they can in the state tournament despite the challenges they will face.

“We might look a little different, play a little different, but we’re still going to be right there when it’s time to cut down the nets.”