Bearkat Britni Martin makes milestone mark

Dedication. Leadership. Intensity. Record breaking.

These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe junior forward Britni Martin. Last week Martin added her name to the Sam Houston State University record books.

Martin became just the 12th player to score 1,000 points in a Bearkat uniform, edging out current head coach Brenda Nichols on the career points list.

"It was exciting," Martin said. "I didn't even know I was close to hitting 1,000."

Coach Nichols joked about Martin joining her on the list.

"I just tell her I did it in two years, it took her three," Nichols said.

Martin had a few things to remind her coach.

"That was back in the day," Martin said. "Plus we played different positions so that should be taken into account. She was right under the basket and could get the rebound and put it right back up."

Family members describe her brother, Jeremy, as Martin's mentor.

"I'm just extremely proud of her," Jeremy said. "It's good to see all the hard work that she's been putting in over the years pay off and to get some recognition from it."

The Conroe native joined SHSU in the 2008-2009 season and lit up the Southland Conference almost immediately. Martin was the first freshman to average in double figures scoring since Shayla Teague, second on the career scoring leaders list, did it in 1995. She was the fifth freshman to have a double digit scoring average and was ranked third in the Southland in three point baskets (55).

As a freshman, Martin was a two-sport athlete participating in soccer as well as basketball. Due to a knee injury, she had to red-shirt the 2009-2010 season, but when she came back last season she hadn't missed a beat.

Last season, Martin was named SHSU Co-Most Valuable Player along with Sequeena Thomas.

The chemistry between the two women is part of what makes the team so successful many say.

"She's always a hard worker she works hard everyday so it's no different in the game," Thomas said. "We can always look to her to hustle and get points and get boards."

Athletic Director Bobby Williams believes Martin is an exemplary leader on and off the court.

"She's always upbeat," Williams said. "When I walk around and I see her and I'm maybe a little down, as a leader she'll lift you up. At her age that's a quality of leadership that's rare."

Martin also praises Thomas.

"I love it! I love playing with Q. I know exactly where she's going to be and when she wants the ball," Martin said. "I know it, I love it, it makes my job easy."

Selfless is a good word to describe Martin's play on the court. She is ranked 11th amongst SHSU Career Assist Leaders, not far behind teammate Khamra Echols, with 254 assists in 75 games, averaging 3.4 per game.

Martin is known for her accuracy from well behind the arc. Her sophomore year, she hit 89 shots from downtown for an average of 35.5 percent.

Smart opponents would do well not to foul Martin as her career free throw totals 77.9 percent, but they're not always successful.

"She loves to shoot the 3, but Britni will throw her body everywhere," Nichols said. "She's very good at taking them in and drawing the fouls and going to the line."

Not only does Martin excel on the court but in the classroom as well. As a freshman she was named to the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. Her sophomore year she earned first team Academic All-Southland honors with a 3.60 GPA as a kinesiology major. This year she has been nominated for Academic All-America honors.

Martin's goals for the rest of her colligate career is to reach the top five all-time scorers in SHSU history. With an average of 15.1 points per game this season, and her senior season left next year, Martin may have set her sights too low.

"I asked her mom the other day if [Martin] had a chance to go pro if she would," cousin Elizabeth Dean said. "Her mom said if she was offered she would. Which we're hoping she does."