Martinez, Hawks, hit season scoring highs
- Updated: January 4, 2023
Elaina Martinez (right) in action against San Diego State earlier this season / SDSU courtesy photo
2022-23 SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
ECS staff report
EL CAJON – Elaina Martinez is more than familiar with winning.
In her final two seasons at J.K.Mullen High in Denver, Martinez was an intergal member of two straight state championships with the Mustangs.
Now a member of the women’s basketball program at San Diego Christian College, Martinez found no excuses in bouncing back from her poorest outing as a collegian.
Elaina Martinez
After being held scoring by Vanguard University in the teams’ Golden State Athletic Conference opener two weeks ago, the sophomore game rebounded with a career-high 21 points, leading the Hawks to an 81-71 triumph over Bethesda University of California, played Tuesday (Jan. 3) at the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Gymnasium.
“Elaina is an exciting player to coach,” said Hawks head coach Anessa Wolfblack. “Her ability to score is going to propel our team forward in the future.”
“She’s only a transfer sophomore (Briar Cliff University), but she’s playing big, veteran minutes fr our team.”
Jamee Joseph also added 20 points and a team-best 6 rebounds to power SDCC (5-10 overall) to their highest-scoring effort of the season.
In her best shooting performance of the season, Martinez connected on 8-of-11 shots, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, to top her previous of 17 points against Menlo.
The shooting guard collected 8 points in the first period, raising the Hawks to a 14-8 lead. The cushion reached 334-25 by the half before the Flames started a comeback. However, the longest fourth period of the season, which “featured” nearly 20 foul shots, saw SDCC hit five of their final six from the line to hold on to the victory.
“Last night, she able to get going by hitting a few shots , then continued to find her teammates with her passing all game long, , finishing with seven assists.”
The Hawks finished with a season-best 30 assists.
The final 10 minutes also featured 9 points from off the bench by Brianna Humphries, while Emily Young connected on a pair of treys in the closing minutes.
San Diego Christian returns to GSAC action Saturday, hosting Hope International at noon in a return to Grossmont College.
