Program-record down, Martin focuses on regional title

Photo by Nico Pascarella

“The hope is and has been a region championship. Team success is my goal and most importantly, just have fun playing and enjoy being with my team while we pursue that goal together.”

Pulaski County senior and basketball star Sydney Martin is only thinking of postseason success heading into the final week of the regular season, but for many, Martin has already accomplished enough to be considered one of the local greats. She added to what is a long list of accomplishments earlier this month when she nailed two free throws to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Pulaski County girls’ basketball program, overtaking another great in Heather Baker-Rigney. In the moments following the record-breaking free throw, Martin was grateful and happy that her hard work was paying off.

“Breaking the record was a really rewarding experience for me. Over the last several years, I’ve really tried to commit myself to basketball and improve as a player. So reaching an accomplishment like this feels like my hard work is paying off. It’s both exciting and gratifying to be in the same conversation as players like Heather Baker, as she was obviously a great player and I’m honored to be thought of in a similar light,” she explained.

Martin is a humble person both on and off the court, and she named God as her biggest inspiration for the player she is.

“My biggest inspiration is first and foremost always God and being the Christian/disciple He has called me to be on and off the floor. But also my family, teammates and friends, as without them, my personal success and our team success wouldn’t be possible. They inspire me daily to be the best version of myself,” she elucidated.

The senior was once committed to Union University in Tennessee, a Division II program that is a strong basketball school. However, she recently flipped to Northern Kentucky University, a Division I school here in the Commonwealth. Martin described the flip as a change of heart.

“It’s something I’ve worked hard for and feels like a great fit for me. I love the coaches and the positive, but hard-working atmosphere,” she explained.

Another record may soon fall at the basketball prowess of Martin as well, as she is close to the all-time school record at Pulaski County High School. Despite this, the ever-humble Martin is still just focused on postseason success.

“Although breaking the all-time scoring record at Pulaski would be a big accomplishment and awesome, it isn’t really that big of a deal to me. My focus is on our team as a whole and the pursuit of making a run in the postseason,” she stated.

There’s little doubt that Sydney Martin will be remembered as one of the best basketball players to come out of the Lake Cumberland area, but before she takes her talent to college, she will have one last postseason journey to attempt to take the Lady Maroons to glory. Pulaski will celebrate her, as well as senior teammate Maggie Holt, on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. for senior night as they take on Meade County.

Featured in the Commonwealth Journal: https://www.somerset-kentucky.com/sports/program-record-down-martin-focuses-on-regional-title/article_dada0ac4-ccfa-11ee-9a6b-9f4004d6644c.html