After the completion of every game, Live Oak High senior Jaime Martinez joins his teammates in a single-file line for the traditional post-game handshake with the opposing team. Martinez usually receives compliments from the opposing coach, including one who referred to him as sonic—as in Sonic the Hedgehog, the popular video game franchise that featured a protagonist who could run and jump at high speeds.
The name fits, because Martinez is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound ball of fury on the hardwood. Known for his hounding defense, toughness and ability to rebound, Martinez is the lone senior starter for a Live Oak team that entered Wednesday’s Blossom Valley League’s West Valley Division game against Lincoln at 8-14 overall and 8-4 in division play. Martinez is hoping the team can save its best for last.
“We’ve been doing pretty good, and hopefully we can keep it up for the rest of the year,” he said. “Coach Jeff (Yeung) wants me to put a max effort into every play, so the guys who come back next year will do the same thing.”
Coaches would be hard-pressed to find a better player for teammates to mold themselves after than Martinez, whose indefatigable work ethic has led to an accomplished two-sport career at Live Oak. A football standout, Martinez has amazed onlookers on the gridiron. Last season, Martinez had 11 receptions for 225 yards against Gilroy High, which went on to win the Central Coast Section Division V championship.
In that game, Martinez did what he usually does—break tackles.
“I usually never go down on the first tackle,” he said. “It’s always the second or third. … They were playing zone for the most part, and I guess they forgot about me. I slipped their zone and made them pay for it. My quarterback was giving me good balls, so it was a good game for me.”
On the basketball court, Martinez is versatile, as he is able to play the guard or forward position. When Martinez goes up against taller players, he uses his burly frame to his advantage. Martinez usually guards the opposing team’s primary ball-handlers, but if a taller player tries to back him down in the post, Martinez can take him off his spot because of his superior strength.
Martinez counts his 12-point, 7-rebound performance in a win over Andrew Hill on Feb. 1 as his best game of the season. The Acorns were on a roll—having won five straight league contests—until they suffered a loss to James Lick last week.
“Honestly, we needed that loss to put us back in a reality check,” he said. “We were not focused in practice all week, and it showed.”
When Martinez suffered a serious ankle injury during his sophomore year—resulting in him missing most of his sophomore basketball season—he was driven to come back stronger than ever. Martinez, who is known for being intense in the weight room, pushed himself everyday to come back for basketball and football.
“Those workouts made me better,” he said. “I knew I had to put in the work, and that’s what motivated me.”
On the football field, people know not to bother Martinez before the game.
“I’d be zoned in and people try to talk to me,” he said. “But sometimes I won’t even reply because I’m so focused on what will happen during the game.”
When Martinez prepares for a basketball game, he maintains a certain and focus. Yeung marvels about Martinez’s willingness to hustle and fight on every possession. Martinez credits his dad, Jamie Sr., for helping him develop into a well-rounded athlete.
“Growing up, he worked out with me even when I didn’t want to,” Martinez said. “He would make me do it. He made me the athlete I am today.”
Martinez plans on playing football at Cabrillo College before transferring to play for a four-year school. Later down the line, Martinez has a goal of becoming a police officer. He’s a big fan of the show “Cops”, a documentary series that follows police officers and other law authorities on patrol and is one of the longest running television programs in the U.S. Yeung was effusive in his praise for Martinez, who exemplifies all of the great attributes he wants in a player.
“What’s not to like about the kid? Jaime is 5-9, 5-10, but he grabs rebounds like he’s 6-foot plus,” Yeung said. “The kid has heart and hussle, and he’s won the Defensive Player of the Year award for our team ever since I’ve been here. He’s always been our Energizer Bunny.”
In a loss to Pioneer last season, Martinez had 20 points, with the majority of them coming on putbacks.
“Without his efforts, we would’ve gotten blown out by 30 points,” Yeung said. “It was just pure effort. When he gets going, something good always happens. On the court, he’s all business.”
Opposing coaches have taken notice of Martinez’s efforts. After the game with Pioneer last season, Yeung had an exchange with the Pioneer coach.
“He said, ‘Man, that No. 20 really kept you in the game.’ We couldn’t stop him,” Yeung said. “Any time you get an opposing coach talking about your player like that, it’s the biggest compliment that kid can get.”
