A Look At Chris Martin's Game

Chris Martin is a player to watch this upcoming season ...

Chris Martin, a husky 6-0, 200 pound floor general via Christ the King H.S. in Middle Village, N.Y., recently scored nine points on four of 22 shooting and dished out a pair of assists as Maine Central Institute dropped an 86-75 decision to host St. Andrew's School.

"Chris' challenge is going to be learning how to play within the team concept," said MCI Head Coach Ed Jones. "He needs to know time, shot, rhythm and things like that."

Martin, an early signee with Stony Brook, transferred to MCI so that he could boost his academic credentials in line with initial NCAA eligibility standards. Playing in the rugged New England Prep School Athletic Conference's Class A Division this winter should also help boost his point guard skills.

"In high school, Chris hit some big shots, although he wasn't the leading scorer on his high school team," Jones said. "Guys have to understand why they are here at the prep school level -- to learn how to play the game and learn how to do things the right way."

"If you're going to be a point guard, then be a point guard," Jones continued. "You can't be a scoring point."

That lesson was surely drilled home after Martin's outing last week against Class C opponent St. Andrew's. MCI's schedule will only get more difficult as the season unfolds and a litany of high level NEPSAC Class A programs await on the Husky docket.

It's the kind of preparation that should help Martin's adjustment next fall to Stony Brook and the America East Conference.

"He signed there early, and they want him to get in better shape, be able to finish a game and pressure other guards a bit," Jones explained. "And he still needs to get his test score."