SEMO's Rising Star: How Rob Martin is Leading the Redhawks with Scoring and Assists

Junior point guard Rob Martin continues to shine for the SEMO men’s basketball team, commanding the Redhawks offense in his second season with the program.

On Tuesday, Jan. 14 Martin led the team in scoring in the Redhawks’ 73-71 loss to the Little Rock Trojans, scoring 19 points, marking his third consecutive game as the team’s leading scorer.

This game adds to Martin’s season total of 220 points, enough to rank him second on the team.

Martin’s ability to score is complimented by his ability to create opportunities for his teammates to score as well, as Martin leads the team in assists, totalling 77 on the year.

Martin stated that this ability to create openings as well as score is a vital part of his skill set, leading to team success as well as individual success.

“I’ve always been a small guard, so scoring is not the main option. I think finding my teammates and just being that leader and getting my teammates going, that's huge for me, and not really turning the ball over. It's a big part of my game, and I take it really seriously,” Martin said.

During the game against the Little Rock Trojans, the Redhawks were down by as much as 14 points during the second half and managed to come back and tie the game.

Martin says the team mindset allows him to maintain resilience throughout the game despite facing difficult circumstances.

“If you play hard, everything else will take care of itself. Don't cry about fouls, and stick together. If we stick together we'll be able to even be up 12, 13, points, like putting ourselves in that hole was hard, but just keep fighting,” Martin said.

Head Coach Brad Korn said that while Martin is having great performances, another player must continue to score with him in order for the Redhawks to continue to win games.

“Collectively as a group, we have to do a better job of scoring. It's good to see Rob playing this way, because if Teddy [Washington Jr.] gets going on the right page, or even BJ [Ward] jumps out and [Stacker] comes along and plays really well. You have to have multiple guys playing well. But it's good to see Rob because he put in a lot of time, a lot of work, and went through a lot of the same thing last year to get ready for this year,” Korn said.

The Redhawks currently sit at fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference with an overall record of 10-9, and a conference record of 5-3.

Martin credited the early success of the season to players getting adjusted in their second year with the program.

“We are a way better team from last year. More people are comfortable, BJ [Ward] is playing his second year, my second year at SEMO. Everybody is more comfortable,” Martin said.

Martin says that in order for the team to maintain their current success, they must continue to stick to the SEMO basketball fundamentals, and stay united on the court.

“We just gotta play SEMO basketball to be honest. Moving the ball, rebounding the ball, taking care of the ball, playing together and staying connected,” Martin said.

The Redhawks’ next game is against Lindenwood University, on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Charles, MO.