A history making season for HC Bob Martin and his team at King鈥檚 Ridge
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Move over March Madness, this spring, the King鈥檚 Ridge Christian School Varsity Basketball team had their own Purple Reign. After a win in the Sweet 16, the Tigers advanced to the Elite 8. Another victory took the team on the road to Buford for the Final Four. Overtime, and down to the final seconds, the Tigers scored, securing a spot in the State Championship!
Even though the Tigers fell short in the championship, it was a history making season for Varsity Head Coach Bob Martin and his team.
For the Tigers, their first region championship, first Sweet 16, first Elite 8, first Final Four, and first State Finals for 1A private school.
鈥淭he bus ride home was full of mixed emotions,鈥� says Coach Martin. 鈥淲e played so well, but yet came up short. I think we were all exhausted and relieved we could just relax and not think about another opponent, while at the same time, we were disappointed we didn鈥檛 win it all.鈥�
Growing up, Coach Martin played baseball and basketball and passed down his love of the game to his children.
His oldest son Issac, a junior, is the all time leading scorer at King鈥檚 Ridge as well as the all time leading three pointer shooter. He鈥檚 a GACA/GBCA all star participant and made all region his sophomore and junior year along with teammate Micah Hoover.
Coach Martin, his wife Shawn, and kids Isaac, Bella, and Jamin love the rolling hills and horse farms in Milton, and especially King鈥檚 Ridge.
鈥淚 have been at King鈥檚 Ridge for four years. We love the atmosphere and support the community provides,鈥� says Coach Martin. 鈥淎ll three of our kids attend King鈥檚 Ridge and love it.鈥�
With 24 years of coaching experience, Coach Martin uses a combination of factors to motivate his players and take them to the next level. From skills to strength, mental toughness to Basketball IQ, sometimes there鈥檚 a little bit of humor too.
鈥淲e had a tradition of eating at Jersey Mike鈥檚 sub shop for our weekend and out of town pre-game meals,鈥� says Coach Martin. 鈥淭here have been several times when people mistake us for a golf team or baseball team. When we tell them we all play basketball, even with our basketball travel gear on, they look at us as if we are joking with them!鈥�
Without a single seven footer on the team, Coach Martin proved the game is more about skills and not always size.
And after such a history making season, it鈥檚 bittersweet to say goodbye to the five of the very skilled senior Tigers.
Team Captain Carson Wolfel is a four-year varsity starter, winning more games than any other King鈥檚 Ridge varsity basketball player. Coach Martin calls him the best teammate ever, a great leader, and the hardest working player he has ever coached.
Team Captain Liam Thomas has played varsity for three years, and according to Coach Martin, he鈥檚 a great leader.
鈥淲e are going to miss Liam鈥檚 leadership and his ability to play multiple positions for us,鈥� says Coach Martin.
Dylan Sears transferred to KR his junior year, and is one of the top three point shooters for the team.
In addition to being a great athlete, Coach Martin credits Caden Erckenbrack with comic relief for the team.
Landon Brabazon led the team in charges this season and Coach Martin also calls him the future lawyer of the team.
This season, junior, Zak Thomas, also joined the 1000 point scoring club at King鈥檚 Ridge.
After winding down from a season of firsts, Coach Martin is looking forward to next season with Tigers Jack Thomas, Nate Kitteredge, Jaydon Cole, and Cedric Haynes, all stepping into more prominent roles next season. Coach Martin also credits the team鈥檚 success with strong JV players like Neil Kohls and Cayman Morgan, always willing to help out when needed.
鈥淚 spent time reflecting on all the morning workouts, weight room sessions, practices, winning and losing close games, road trips, conversations, all the people who supported us when we were losing and what the future holds for King鈥檚 Ridge basketball.鈥�
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