‘We take care of each other.’ Eastern Kentucky band playing for neighbor school at Sweet 16

Martin County High School has a very small band and a big job to do next week in Lexington when its team represents the 15th region in the 2023 KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16.

Pike County Central High School Principal Tim Cline says there’s a simple reason for why his school’s accomplished pep band will travel to Rupp Arena on March 16 just to play alongside and support Martin County’s band:

“(In) the mountains, we take care of each other,” Cline said. “Helping your neighbor is what has sustained us for generations.”

Martin County High School Principal Martha Williams said her school’s band is “developing” and only has about 25 members. Cline said it might be difficult for a group that small “to bring the crowd to its feet” in a venue as large as Rupp Arena.

Cline said the Pike Central pep band, which is sending about 60 members to help, is well-versed in energizing a basketball game crowd.

Inez, where Martin County High School is located, is about an hour away from Pikeville and Pike County Central High School.

“The fact that Pike Central’s Band is going to be playing for Martin County, the reason that is so endearing .... is because we want to see people helping other people,” said Cline. The Appalachian News-Express first reported about the collaboration.

“We want to work together to make sure that as many students as possible, theirs and ours, get to benefit from the collaboration,” said Cline. “It’s a bright day for my students. It’s, I hope, a bright day for Martin County’s (students). It’ll be something that generations from now on will talk about.”

Pike County Central’s band director Jason Johnson said the idea for the collaboration came about last Saturday at the regional tournament during Martin County’s game against Lawrence County High School. Martin County’s band wasn’t able to attend and their student body started cheering for Pike Central’s band kids to play for them, he said.

“And it was just this very natural organic moment that was just beautiful — students cheering on students,” said Johnson.

Martin County won the game in overtime. Fans were saying that Pike Central’s band helped in the win, according to Johnson.

Cline said one third, or about 200 of the students at Pike County Central, are in a school band.

It’s a requirement for incoming freshmen to take an introductory band course, Cline said. He said that can raise literacy rates and math skills.

Cline said helping Martin County’s band is an exercise in character building, which he stresses at Pike County Central.

“My biggest thing is character. I want to produce honest, hardworking, young Pike Countians that can bring our community back together. With the loss of coal, with the opioid crisis ... we need victory,” said Cline.

Johnson said he and Martin County band director Cassie Hites are former co-workers, another factor in the collaboration.

The Martin County Cardinals will play Lexington’s Frederick Douglass High School in the first round of the Sweet 16 at 6 p.m on March 16.

Williams said shirts are being made for all the band members who will cheer on Martin County High School at the state tournament that say, “Bands supporting bands.”

“We’re very appreciative,” said Williams.

“It’s Eastern Kentucky kids coming together to support each other,” she said. “And I think it’s just awesome.”