By MARK MOLINA | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
LOS FRESNOS — In two years with the Los Fresnos varsity basketball program, senior Gabe Martinez has created many memories on the hardwood and has been an integral part in helping the Falcons capture district crowns.
Now, Martinez has the opportunity to make many more memories after signing on to play basketball at Palo Alto College in San Antonio during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at Los Fresnos High School.
The signing was a milestone for Martinez, who never thought he’d see the day where he would don a college uniform.
“It’s just crazy, because I never really thought that I would have this opportunity,” he said. “I’m lucky enough and I just thank God for putting me in this position.”
The signing is not only significant for Martinez, but for the Los Fresnos basketball program as he was the third player to ink a college agreement, following Jordan Urbina (Schreiner University) and Andrew Carrizales (Jarvis Christian College), who did the same last week.
“It’s a great day for Los Fresnos basketball,” head coach Marco Hinojosa said. “I’ve been here for 13 years — five as a head coach — and I don’t recall the last time we had a signing. To have three in one year, it’s special. It just means we’re doing things right. It shows with four district titles and four bi-district titles. Now for the kids to go to college not just for education, but to play sports, it’s an incredible feeling.”
Martinez was a key cog in the Falcons’ success this season as he averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
After the season, Martinez was an All-District 32-6A, All-Metro and Rio Grande Valley Basketball Coaches Association first-team selection.
He now joins Palo Alto after meeting representatives following an AAU tournament over the summer and multiple tryouts.
Martinez feels the school fills all his needs.
“The last time I went to go visit, I really liked the facilities and they’re really good on the physical education,” he said. “That’s what I want to study and it’s another reason why I wanted to go. It’s going to be different my first year, but I know I can pull through and I hope everything goes well.”
Hinojosa is confident that Martinez can make as much of an impact in college as he did at Los Fresnos due to his unselfish ways.
“I called him a pit bull — he was tough,” he said. “He sacrificed a lot for the team. Just against Rivera he had no business on the floor, for example. He had turf toe and could barely walk. He decided to do what’s best for the team…and he helped us win our fourth district title that night. I have no doubt in my mind Gabriel can play at the next level. He’s going to be a great asset to Palo Alto just with his work ethic and what he brings — he gets the best out of everybody.”
All that’s left is for Martinez to begin adjusting to life in a bigger city and leaving behind the program he helped bring titles to.
However, he’s sure the Falcons are in good hands.
“Our coaches get us mentally ready for the game, our mindset, game planning and all that good stuff. Thank God for those awesome coaches we have,” he said. “We always pushed the other guys and it’s like we’re passing the torch. They’ll be just fine. They’ll have big shoes to fill, but I’m sure they can do it.”