‘Hidden Gem’ Martin Works Way Into Starting Lineup For Lady Tigers

Photo by Kailee Means / UC Sports Nation

At the start of the season, you could be forgiven for not knowing Madison Martin’s name.

The DeKalb County sophomore got minutes here and there when they were available, but she didn’t quite have her role with the team solidified.

Fast-forward to the team’s Jan. 13 meeting with Upperman, and Martin started her 10th consecutive game for the team. She also led the team in scoring with 13 points, and knocked down crucial shots to help her team cut the Lady Bee lead down to single-digits at one point.

DCHS Sophomore Madison Martin has played her way into the starting lineup for the Lady Tigers, thanks to her hard work and versatility. (Photo Courtesy of Danny Fish / DeKalb County High School)

“She’s kind of a hidden gem,” Head Coach Danny Fish said. “I like Madison because of her energy that she gives the team. When she’s relaxed and playing, we play with a different type of energy.”

Another important aspect to her growth has been patience. As a freshman, Martin played behind a senior and 1,000-point scorer in Emme Colwell, making minutes hard enough to earn. That didn’t deter her work ethic, as she says her time in the gym and patience have paid off.

“It’s very important because you’ve just got to wait,” Martin said. “Just getting in the gym and working hard whenever I can, which is helped by having parents who can bring you there, but the work ethic is key…the hard work takes time and (the results) will come eventually.”

Speaking of that role, Martin is in an odd spot because while she spends most of her time on the perimeter and making cuts through the lane on offense, her defensive role normally has her in the post. That means matching up with the likes of York’s Gabby Beaty, Livingston Academy’s Hailey Cronk and more recently, Upperman’s Abigail Johnson.

While some may look at that and see a mismatch, Martin values her versatility and ability to guard multiple positions as one of her greatest strengths.

“I feel like I can play both positions,” Martin said. “I am more of a guard on offense, but as a post on defense, you just have to play physical.”

This versatility is something that Fish tries to maximize at both ends, as it allows for Martin’s strengths to be utilized on offense and defense. It has also helped that Martin’s confidence has been rising in the last few weeks.

“She’s becoming a little more assertive and believing in herself a little more,” Fish said. “We want Abigail Johnson to come out (of the paint) and all those other girls to come out, but I feel like (Martin) is going to be a really good player, and we are only at the tip of the iceberg with her.”