Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Texico junior point guard Faith Martin has had a basketball in her hands for as long as she can remember. Martin leads the Lady Wolverines with 12 points and five assists per game. (CNJ staff photo: Andy DeLisle)
Junior point guard Faith Martin played libero for Texico’s 2006 volleyball state title run, and now stars on the basketball team. She’s averaging a team-high 12 points and five assists a game for the 14-2 Lady Wolverines.
What’s your earliest memory of playing basketball?
Martin: Probably in second grade, on the little-bitty goals at Play Inc.
Why’d you like playing?
Martin: I think the big part was my mom. She had me with that ball ever since I can remember, so it’s kind of instilled in me. But I grew to love it. I just like the competition, the intensity of it and I love hearing the swish when the ball goes down.
What’s the worst place to play on the road?
Martin: Probably Santa Rosa, because their fans are kind of crazy. They like to talk to you a lot.
What’s the worst thing you heard?
Martin: Well I broke my leg one year, and they were making fun of me for it, calling me gimp and stuff (laughing). You know I was playing in a cast, I couldn’t help it.
What are some of the qualities a good point guard needs to have?
Martin: You have to be able to handle the ball pretty good. And you have to be able to see the floor.
What are the things that drive your coach (Keith Durham) crazy when you and the team are on the court?
Martin: Not blocking out and not getting back on defense.
Would you rather win a state title in basketball or graduate with honors?
Martin: Win a state championship in basketball (laughing). I’d really like to play in The Pit, and all the hype and everything.
OK, rank these four things: school, family, basketball and friends.
Martin: Family, friends, basketball and school. I’m really close to my family and they mean more to me than anything. My friends, they’ve just always been there for me and helped me through basketball.
Is there any player that you try to emulate your game after?
Martin: I really looked up to Jennifer Roberts when she played here. (Roberts helped Texico win three state titles 1999-2001.)
As a player, what was the hardest thing for you to learn?
Martin: Probably ball handling. I really never played point guard in school, and when I got into high school, I had to work extra hard on it.
If you could play college basketball at any level, where would you play?
Martin: I never really thought about playing in college, but probably Texas Tech or something ’cause it’s close and my mom could come.
Coach’s comment: “She’s deadly shooting threes,” Durham said. “But the big thing I think she’s improved in is her defense. I mean people don’t realize that person she guards hardly ever scores.”
— Compiled by CNJ Sports Writer Greg Price. He can be reached at 763-6991 or by e-mail at [email protected]
