“I felt really confident going into it,” senior Cameron Ashton said. “We had two day of practice and we cam out ready to play.”

At the beginning of the first quarter, the team started off strong, getting the first jump and being the first to score. By the end of the first quarter, the score was 14 to 13.

“I feel comfortable with all the guys on the team,” senior Austin Durham said. “As long as I’m playing with all of my energy, they’ll do the same.”

During the second quarter, Keller Central fought back at first, but the Warriors came back strong throughout the quarter. At the end, Keller Central got ahead and ended the first half 28 to 27. As the third quarter started, Keller Central was first to score. Warriors came back with a slam dunk, tying the score 31 to 31. The third quarter ended 37 to 33, Warriors.

“I think the way that we’re playing now, we could go far this season,” Durham said. “If we stay confident, we could have a good round of playoffs.”

Thirty seconds into the last quarter a player from Martin fouled out. They quickly recovered, ending the game 55 to 41 with a slam dunk.

“I really feel like we came here and did what we had to do,” Ashton said.

This was the 14th game of the season and the victory gave them a score of 11-3 so far.

“The conditioning is what really prepares us to take on new teams and better ourselves,” freshman Mason Palmer said.

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Martin defeated L.D. Bell High School with several impressive moments for varsity and JV members. Junior Tarrel Tatum, on varsity and still waiting for his shot at state, defeated a three-time state champion from L.D. Bell and plans to continue with his current high scoring record obtained at meets.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Tatum said. “One of my main concerns for this meet was cutting weight. I had to lose 11 pounds.”

For Tatum and other members on the team, the harsh rigor required to win at meets can seem like an impossible feat considering the time and effort these boys put into the sport, not to mention keeping up with grades. From wheelbarrow runs up and down the football field to body carries where members will literally give a teammate a piggy back ride around the outside of the football stands and up into the bleachers, wrestling is not the sport for the faint of heart.

“What motivates me is the fact that I know if I do my best during the exercise, in the next activity my group will have less repititions to do or I will at least have some time to catch my breath,” junior Joey Figuera said.

In the next meet, Martin will face St. Marks High School that has a reputation for sending many members to state. However, most members rely on their coaches to prepare them and their focus until the next meet will be correcting any mistakes made on the floor.

“It’s hard to think about anything when you’re on the mat,” Figuera said. “I just listen to what my coaches and teammates are telling me to do.”

Tuesday, Sept. 6, freshman Darling Hernandez broke her femur, the longest, strongest, bone in the body. She was scrimmaging against other Martin soccer girls when she got tangled up playing offense. Sophomore Kamber Kirchmeier and Hernandez both went for the ball. Kirchmeier accidentally kicked Hernandez in the ankle, causing Hernandez to fall. Her femur snapped as she fell to the field.

“She was just in the wrong place and the wrong time,” soccer coach Sabina Harrington said.

Harrington knew exactly what happened when she heard the snap. It was obvious that Hernandez had broken a bone, but Harrington hoped it wasn’t as bad as it sounded. The coaches applaud Hernandez for being so calm and collected.

“I’m just glad I went to get some water because I could not have handled the sound, but Darling handled everything so well and was very calm,” soccer coach Jessica Lewis said.

Hernandez went to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and had surgery on Wednesday. She was given morphine to alleviate the unbearable pain.

“After they gave me morphine, I just go out of it,” Hernandez said. “This is the worst pain I’ve ever been in.”

Because the femur is the strongest bone of the body, fractures are much more serious. The break left Hernandez anemic for a while. It could have been much worse, but she is now doing okay. She was stuck in the hospital from Tuesday to Saturday, not being able to walk. She missed eight days of school right at the beginning of her freshman year, and more are yet to come.

“I am not excited about missing this much school,” Hernandez said.

She planned on returning to school as soon as she could walk, with hopes of playing soccer as soon as she could run again. She spent time in the training room during soccer while she could not walk, and is waiting to get better for the next soccer season.

“I’ll be playing soccer as soon as I can and as long as I make the team,” Hernandez said.

The soccer team surprised Hernandez with a cake to encourage and be there for her. The unfortunate event did not discourage anybody, even though it was unusual and rare. Even through the pain Hernandez had to endure, she always tried to stay positive. She is anticipating a fast recovery so she can get back on the soccer field to play her favorite sport. Her faith is helping her cope with everything she is dealing with.

“Everything happens for a reason, so I try not to see it so negatively,” Hernandez said. “I know God is helping me through.”

“The switch from halfback to quarterback wasn’t that bad, it’s more work but at the same time I get more play time, so it’s fun,” Lambert said.

Spring football practice at the end of last year, lifting and team workouts helped Lambert get ready for this season.

“We won the seven-on-seven National Championship, so the team is looking good for the season,” Lambert said.

Lambert lead the warriors to two blow out wins already this season. Hoping to lead the Warriors to state, he also has some high expectations for himself. Competing for a scholarship and all district quarterback, he has to get some work done.

“Being on varsity, there is some pressure, but we are well-coached and ready to take care of business,” Lambert said.

Making it to the playoffs last year and having a great season himself, Lambert is confident in himself and the team.

“With the seven-on-seven National Championship, there is some pressure to preform, but I know we will do good,” Lambert said.

The Warriors are a pretty close team this year which makes playing more fun.

“I’m pretty close with all of the receivers” Lambert said “If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to say Kyle Hicks.”

Able to play free safety, halfback, and quarterback, Lambert is a very useful athlete. If needed, he could play any of those positions plus some. Outside of football Lambert spends some spare time playing tennis and golf. Keeping up good grades, Lambert is a great student. In the classroom and on the football field, people better look out for number five, Brody Lambert.

1.) Miracle (2004)
True story of Herb Brooks, 1980 U.S. hockey team coach that leads the team to victory over the untouchable Russian squad.

2.) Remember the Titans (2000)
True story of African-American coach, Herman Boone, and his high school team in their first season integrated.

3.) Rocky (1976)
Rocky Balboa, a small time boxer, strives for his self-respect when he gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed.

4.) The Blind Side
The story of a homeless and traumatized boy, Michael Oher, who became an All American football player and first-round NFL draft pick.

5.) The Natural
Average baseball player, Roy Hobbs, comes out of nowhere to become a legendary player with almost mystical talent.

6.) We Are Marshall
When a plane crash takes lives of fans and members of the Marshall University football team, the team’s new coach, Jack Lengyel, and the surviving players try to keep the Thundering Herd football program alive.

7.) Field Of Dreams
An Iowa farmer, interprets voices as they command him to build a baseball diamond in his fields. When he does, the Chicago Black Sox come.

8.) Glory Road
In 1966, coach Don Haskins, leads the first all-black starting line-up for Texas Western basketball team to the NCAA national championship.

9.) The Rookie
After agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs, a Texas baseball coach makes the major league.

10.) Cinderella Man
The story of washed up boxer, James Braddock, who came back to become a champion and an inspiration.

11.) Hoosiers
A coach with a checkered past train a small town high school basketball team to become an adversary for the championship.

Choosing a college is not an easy thing to do. There are so many different schools located in so many different places that have a variety of characteristics.

“Even though I had other offers, I chose to commit to McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana,” senior Sarah Bricker said. “When I went to visit I fell in love with the coaches and dorms.”

Bricker has played soccer since she was four years old and got a full ride to McNeese State. She also got other offers from schools like Central Arkansas and Jacksonville State.

“All of my family went to Ohio state but my parents encouraged me to go to McNeese,” Bricker said. “I’m the first in my family to go there and I’m excited for the thrill and new experience of college soccer.”

Attending Texas Christian University on a full ride for football is senior Devonte Fields. Fields is a defensive end and has been playing football since he was five.

“The only reason I started playing was because my uncle put me in it,” Fields said. “I had too much free time when I was younger and was always getting into trouble. I ended up loving it though. It helps me release all of my anger.”

Fields had several offers from multiple colleges but his only choice was between TCU and Oklahoma State University. Even though he still thinks OSU is a great school, he chose to go to TCU to stay closer his family.

“I like TCU because it’s not too far from home, but it’s not too close either,” Fields said. “I also like that I can go home and have a home-cooked meal as often as I’d like. And my mom can wash my clothes for me too.”

Senior Katy Reamer received a full ride to Texas Tech for soccer. Even though Tech was her first choice, she would love to go to a school in California or San Diego.

“The thing I love most about soccer is getting to travel and meet all different types of people,” Reamer said. “That’s where I’ve made most of my close friends.”

Recently, Reamer suffered from a soccer related injury, but luckily it doesn’t affect her scholarship.

“I blew out my knee, tore my ACL, tore my MCL, and also have a torn meniscus,” Reamer said. “I have to have surgery and after I will have to do physical therapy three times a week with a physical therapist and two times a week on my own at home.”

Senior twins Stephen and Eric Amoako received a full ride to University of Oregon for football. Although they had offers from many other schools, Oregon was automatically their first choice.

“We had offers from Kansas State, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue University, Pittsburgh, North Texas and a few others,” Stephen said. “But when it came down to it, Oregon is where we both really wanted to go. They have the major that we both want to study, which is sports marketing. And we get a lot of free Nike stuff which didn’t hurt.”

The twins had all the same offers and are both defensive backs. Neither of the boys planned on playing football in high school but were talked into it by a few of the coaches here at Martin.

“We’ve been playing since fourth grade,” Eric said. “We played fourth, quit for fifth and then started back up again in sixth and have been playing ever since. I like the competition and getting to be with my best friends every day.”

The boys went to Oregon to visit on Sept. 16. During the trip they got to hang out with their future teammates and tour the campus.

“Even though we know we will miss the food, our family and all of our friends in Texas we’re excited for a new environment,” the Amoakos said. “When we went for our visit it was cool to have the opportunity to hang out and get to know the people we will be surrounded by next year.”

Junior Demetri Gildon played football, his favorite sport, for over a decade. Gildon, a 250-pound right tackle, grew up in West Virginia and played for the Rising Knights for two years. He then moved to Iowa and played for the Sudlo Tigers for two years. Finally, he moved to Texas and played for Young Junior High for two years and then for Martin, where he ran the grounds for two years before getting hurt.

“We were going to beat Allen,” Gildon said, “I thought I was going to ride the bus home with the rest of the team, but that didn’t happen.”

The 215 pound defensive tackle who hit Gildon had other plans in store for him. Gildon’s coaches, family, and teammates watched hopelessly as he lay on the ground with frustration apparent in his red face.

“I’m out for the season,” Gildon thought.

He was right. Gildon watched as the paramedics raced over to the field. The pain level was overbearing. Gildon was put on a stretcher and given medicine immediately. He could no longer remember anything that happened. Everything became a blur. The ambulance put on its sirens and rushed Gildon to Plano Medical Center.

“What’s your pain level on a scale from 1 to 10,” the paramedic said.

“Hasn’t changed,” muttered Gildon.

When they arrived at the hospital, Gildon glanced at his leg but immediately wished he hadn’t. He could tell the bone was mangled inside of his leg. They rushed him into the emergency room as quickly as possible. He was not allowed to eat or drink anything. They took x-rays and hooked him up to an IV. It was time for surgery, game time.

“The last thing I remember is being taken into a room with a bunch of lights,” Gildon said.

The doctors sliced into his tan leg to find his tibia broken in three places. It looked as if a lighting bolt had struck his bone and left a destructive mark. The doctors put in a plate and seven screws to mend the bone and begin the healing process. After his leg was sewn up, Gildon was given strict instructions not to eat or drink.

Recovering from the grueling two hour surgery, the last thing Gildon wanted to hear was bad news. Gildon already knew it was true, but hearing it from a professional made it worse. The 7 horrifying words came out of the doctors mouth: you won’t be playing football this season, tears streamed down his sad face.

“I was devastated” Gildon said. “I didn’t know what to think.”

After three days in the hospital, Gildon, was released to go home, he doesn’t know how long he will have to be on crutches.

“The doctor said I couldn’t put any weight on my leg for 12 weeks and then I start rehab,” Gildon said.

He only has a temporary cast because the doctors have to check the stitches.

“The hardest part about this whole thing is not being able to play football, and having to use crutches,” Gildon said.

Demetri still attends every practice because he is a part of the team.

“Through this process I have prayed a lot and I still plan to get a scholarship,” Gildon said, “I have a lot of faith in Coach Wager to get me recruited.”

Although Gildon broke his leg he still plans to play next year, and won’t let this stop him.

Weight 175 lbs & Height 6 feet

Feet-Walker has baseline-to-baseline explosiveness. Every day before practice, the team lifts in the weight room and does agility work to strengthen their speed and physique.

Calf Muscles-Vertical 27″

Lungs-His endurance that he has built through years of practice propels him to play the majority of the game, usually playing 30 minutes.

Hips-Walkers jukeability is evident in his game when is getting around his opponent. His game comes off of screens and shooting threes, but when he wants to attack the basket he will either spin or go between his legs.

Butt-He collects three or four rebounds a game.

Heart-To be a successful player, Walker believes you must be passionate about the sport. Devoting the majority of his time to it, he has learned how it is a good way to relieve stress and an opportunity to block out everything going on outside of his game. To get himself hyped for a game, he listens to Eminem or Lil Wayne.

Hand 1-Walker always swipes a couple steals to contribute to the defensive side of his game. Martin plays a man-to-man defense typically, but also play a little match-up which is similar to zone.

Hand 2-He averages 12 points a game and is known for being a three-point clutch shooter.  He also dishes out three assists a game.

Brain-Team goals for the season consist of gaining the district title and going deep in playoffs. Walker’s personal goals are to make first team all district and do anything possible to help the team win. He said he believes that Martin has the best team in the district because they have many weapons on the court and on the bench that they can use to cause match up problems for virtually any team. He would also like to play at the D1 ball level and study either psychology or kinesiology.

Mouth-Being one of the two captains of the team, Walker tends to lead by example more than speech. But when he critiques and offers advice to his teammates they respect him and he listens when they do the same to him.

Eyes-Having a high basketball IQ, he has very good court awareness. He looks for his teammates coming off screens and cuts. He also rarely turns over the ball.

Stomach-Before stepping on the court, he munches on a few sour gummy worms.

Barnes is the point guard for the team and at 5’4 she is one of the leaders.
“My greatest strength is my passes,” Barnes said. “I make good assets, and my leadership helps me stay focused.”
Barnes helps set up the plays for the other girls to follow and score.
“She’s an extremely talented young lady, she has a lot of passion and heart,” Coach Brooke Brittain said.
“My passion for the game makes me what I am today,” Barnes said.

Another one of the leaders, Hives-McCray, is a post for the team at 6′. Her role is to shoot and score baskets.
“The moves I make to the basket are my greatest strength,” Hives said. “All the hard work I put in and the great coaches have made me a great player.”
“She’s a talented young player and has a lot of fire and passion,” said Brittain.

The guard for the team at 6′ is Maduka. She helps to get the ball down towards the basket to shoot.
“My driving is really good,” Maduka said. “Whenever I have the ball and I pass over my opponent, I can’t really describe the feeling I get.”
Maduka’s talents also stem from the support she receives.
“She’s an excellent player, brings a lot of leadership to the team all of the ladies look up to her,” said Brittain.
“My coaches have helped me develop my skills and the support from my family is just incredible,” Maduka said.

The three girls are assets in making the group a winning team. Their distinct skills help bring out the best in others and hide the few weaknesses each player has.
“We all work really well together,” Barnes said. “We’re just like a big family.”