03/23/2008
enlarge
Staff photo by Andy Molloyfrom the Kennebec Journal
Many students absent, but most not due to H1N1
Massacre could have been much worse
Nation's jobless rate reaches 10 percent
Attack 'outrageous,' says Augusta soldier stationed at Fort Hood
Old Man Winter: He's still got it
AUGUSTA Up the rails
Mace seeks repeat
Bobcats see similar team in title game
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
'The luckiest man in the world just left us'
Officials: Swine flu a small part of school absences
Veteran: Military 'gives you strength'
AFTER THE VOTE How to dispense pot to patients?
SUSPECT FOUND IN CLOSET
NEWPORT Police recover two firearms
State cross country titles up for grabs
H.S. GIRLS SOCCER Raiders try to crack West's title reign
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Staff Writer
Ryan Martin's success begins with his incredible work ethic. Long after others have left the gym, the Maranacook Community School senior is there shooting jumpers or free throws or working on his ballhandling skills.
He estimates he works on his shooting six or seven times a week, but fans don't see the practice, just the results. This season he was the focal point of opposing defenses, yet still averaged 23.1 points a game.
More importantly, he helped the Black Bears win their second Class B state championship and go undefeated in the process. For his efforts, Martin has been named Kennebec Journal Boys Basketball Co-Player of the Year with Winthrop's Sam Leclerc, who led the Ramblers to the Class C state championship. Also considered was Cony's Andrew Pullen.
Martin also reaped the state's top two individual awards: Mr. Maine Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year. He's decided to play basketball at the University of Maine, defying a number of doubters who feel at 5 foot 8 he's too small for Division I.
"That's one thing that motivates me," Martin said.
From the 39 points he scored early in his freshman year to the school record 56 he scored in a game this season, Martin has always been a scorer.
"There were a lot of games when teams would rotate two defenders on him," Maranacook coach Rob Schmidt said. "Ryan would wear them both down. Usually he ends up being face-guarded the whole game. You saw that in the state championship."
Martin drew special attention from Cape Elizabeth defenders in the state title game yet still managed 26 points. When defenders play him tight on the perimeter, he's able to drive to the basket or pull up for mid-range jumpers.
"He can do all three of those things," Schmidt said.
Martin finished his career with a school-record 1,899 points, a total that could have easily exceeded 2,000 had he not sat out the fourth quarter of many games this season.
He'll play baseball this spring -- he's the team's shortstop and a pitcher -- but he won't abandon his shooting workouts.
"The main thing in shooting drills is to get myself conditioned like I'm playing a game," Martin said. "My shooting percentage is actually worse when I'm shooting around because I'm so tired."
Martin shot 60 percent from the field this season, including 61 percent from the 3-point arc. He also shot 88 percent from the free throw line.
"We were always shocked when he missed one," Schmidt said of Martin's free throws.
The Maranacook coach also praised Martin's attitude, pointing out he never received a technical foul in his career despite being harassed by defenders.
"For everything he endures throughout a game it's remarkable how under control he is," Schmidt said. "There's a lot of players who would have snapped."
Martin's game extends beyond shooting. In addition to being voted the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year the last three seasons, he's also been named to the KVAC all-defensive team the past three seasons.
"He takes a lot of pride in that," Schmidt said. "A lot of people don't know that about him."
Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
Click here to view or add reader comments