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COLUMBIA WEATHER

BGA hoops product to make coaching debut at Zion Christian





@ BASKETBALL

@ BASKETBALL

Sam Martin, who helped Battle Ground Academy to a boys basketball state championship as a senior in 2014, has been named as Zion Christian’s new coach.

Martin replaces Derek Boyd, who resigned this summer after two years as coach and athletics director at ZCA to return to his alma mater, Mt. Pleasant, as AD and boys basketball assistant.

School officials continue, meanwhile, to search for a girls basketball coach following the departure of Shaun Odom over the summer.

“I watched Sam play basketball for a few years at Martin Methodist,” Zion Christian AD Kelly Bratton said. “I witnessed the character he has both on the court and off. He has a passion for developing players athletically and spiritually.

“I believe he is a great fit here at ZCA.”

Martin initially signed with Birmingham Southern after graduating from BGA. He spent his freshman season there before transferring to Martin Methodist – now UT-Southern – for the remainder of his collegiate career. He subsequently played a year professionally in Lithuania.

Martin

Martin

As a coach, Martin spent a year interning under Will Martin at Missouri Western State, and served as an assistant at his high school alma mater in addition to coaching nonscholastic basketball locally.

“I am beyond blessed and excited to begin my career at such a great place like Zion Christian,” he said. “I have been on campus, and it feels like a family. The strong sense of community is like no other.

“I strive to glorify God in everything I do, especially when leading youth. I hope to be a positive light in these kids’ lives and push them to become better mentally, physically and most importantly, spiritually. The vision that (Bratton) has for the entire department is exciting. I’m thrilled to help build something special.”

Boyd led Zion Christian to a 20-24 record over his two seasons, including a 16-12 finish last year as the Eagles competed in the Tennessee State Independent Athletic Association for the first time.

 

 

“Coaches are uniquely positioned to help develop student-athletes,” ZCA director Rick Jarvis said. “More than anything, Coach Martin wants to see his players develop into strong followers of Christ and looks forward to using basketball as a way to accomplish this. I’m excited to have Coach Martin join our coaching staff.”

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