GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR JORDAN MARTIN, BENTONVILLE

Basketball: Martin shoots her way into role with Bentonville's girls

Jordan Martin didn't need a few games under her belt to discover her role on Bentonville's girls basketball team this season.

All the 5-foot-8 senior guard needed was the season opener against Conway to assume that position. Martin finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists before she fouled out of the 92-89 overtime loss.

Her consistency throughout the season earned her All-NWADG Girls Player of the Year honors.

"Going into that game, the team had a goal to beat Conway," Martin said. "I knew if I didn't step up and fill my role, we might be in trouble. It turned out to be one of my good games.

"From the 11th grade to the 12th grade, I thought I improved a lot, especially shooting the 3-ball. I knew I had a big role to fill, and I thought I did a good job of filling it. I also thought I was a good role model on the floor, somebody that the younger kids could look to follow."

She increased her scoring average from 12.5 points per game last year to 14.6 this season.

Martin, who shot only 21.5 percent from beyond the arc last season, hit a respectable 55 of 144 (38.1 percent) of her 3-point tries this year. She hit a season-high four on four occasions, including a game at Springdale Har-Ber when she scored a season-high 26 points.

"I spent a lot of time, outside of our practices, working on my own and shooting, Martin said. "Coach (Randy) Richardson helped me out a lot and stayed with me. Even on weekends and on holiday breaks, when we weren't required to be in the gym, I still came and did a lot of outside shooting so I could improve.

"Shooting 3s is where I improved the most. I would work with a shooting machine, and my footwork is where coach Richardson helped me a lot because I had to get off a quicker release outside."

-- Henry Apple • @NWAHenry

Sports on 03/29/2015

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