Wednesday, March 22, 2000
Coach, dad lead St. X to state
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
St. X coach Scott Martin (left) dirests practice with his dad and assistant coach, Dennis.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
| ZOOM |
|
Some things have never changed in the Martin family. Dad Dennis and son Scott still talk endlessly about basketball. And this year, just like they have for the last 20 years, they'll attend the Ohio high school basketball state finals.
But other things have changed, a fact that may not fully hit home until they enter Ohio State University's Schottenstein Center on Friday night.
Martin and Martin have hit the big time. Scott, as head coach, and Dennis, as his assistant, have helped lead St. Xavier to the Divi sion I state semifinals, where they will meet Hilliard Davidson at 9 p.m. The winner plays in the state title game Saturday at 8:30p.m.
Their history suggests few people would find the thrill of playing a leading role upstate more rewarding.
|
AT A GLANCE
|
• Matchup: St.Xavier (23-2) vs. Hilliard Davidson (22-4)
• What: Division I state semifinals
• When: 9 p.m. Friday
• Where: Ohio State's Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus
• Tickets: $7, Available at school through Friday or at gate beginning at 8 p.m.
|
Scott has been going with his dad to the tournament since 1979. Before that, Dennis had gone almost every year dating to 1970.
Mom Janet and Scott's brother Trent attended too. “The thing that impresses me is that Scott and Trent can still tell you all the details. It's a blur to me,” Dennis says, “but they can name names and opponents. It obviously stuck in their minds.”
The Martin brothers, two grades apart in school, became talented point guards at St.X. When Scott was a sophomore in 1985, St.X came within a basket at the buzzer of going to state. Purcell Marian went instead, and won the Class AAA state title.
Now still only 31 and already in his fifth year as St. X's coach, Scott's making the trip he's dreamed of, that many coaches and players only see in their dreams.
“Getting here has probably been my life goal,” Scott says. “I just talked to a coach on the phone who said once I get there, I should sit down on the bench, look up and enjoy being where I am, because once the game begins, you'll forget to do it.”
It will be extra special, of course, because Dennis will be right beside him. Dennis joined his son as his assistant three years ago, after serving as head coach at Finneytown for 10 years.
Two or three times a week, the Martins can be found talking hoops over dinner, usually at Bacall's in College Hill. “It wasn't a hard choice,” Scott says of inviting his dad onto his staff. “Talking basketball is what we do every second anyway, so I though we might as well do it for a good reason.”
Dennis is able to draw upon his experience at Finneytown, where he was a longtime assistant before be coming head coach. “The emotional part here is a little different,” he says, “but the basketball part is the same. My role is to suggest, remind, challenge him a little bit and then let him make the decisions.”
When it's suggested that sounds like a healthy father-son relationship, Dennis jokes, “Except now the son's the boss. I can't take the car keys away anymore.”
Come Friday, Dennis believes, their roles as coaches will overshadow any desire to step back into their usual happy tourists' roles.
“I'll have pride as his father that he is there,” Dennis says. “But knowing his competitiveness, there won't be a lot of time to enjoy that. Emotions will be focused on the game, and we're going to try and take this one game at a time.”
Saturday story: Sollman leads St. X to state
Sports Stories
Parris has good work on Reds' day off
Reds' 'D' could be special
Reds try to juggle pitchers and innings
City board pans plan for ballpark public space
Xavier sees offensive help on the way
