By CLAIRE CRUZ, Special to RGVSports.com
The Martinez twins were looking for a fresh start when they transferred to St. Joseph Academy for their senior year.
Josh and John made an immediate impact on the Bloodhounds’ basketball program, leading SJA to the TAPPS state playoffs and a 77-65 victory over Houston Frassati Catholic in Round 1 on Saturday at Memorial Gym.
“We just wanted a new opportunity, and this is a great place to finish (our careers). … We just step up to the plate every game,” Josh Martinez said. “This feels great, it’s a team win, now we’re moving forward and have the next round ahead of us.”
St. Joseph leaned heavily on its guards despite a significant size advantage for Frassati due to early foul trouble for center Luigi Cristiano. The Martinez boys fearlessly drove to the basket and used quick hands on defense to keep the Falcons’ offensive efficiency low.
“John and Josh are very competitive and resilient … they’re not scared and love to mix it up with the big boys,” St. Joseph coach Sam Lucio said.
The Bloodhounds, however, lit up the scoreboard with robust three-point shooting. St. Joseph knocked down 11 from behind the arc, with five of those coming from Josh Martinez. Cristiano ignited a 21-point third quarter with three consecutive 3-pointers to put his team up 15.
“Luigi knocked down some big shots like he has all year. He can really shoot it,” Lucio said. “Rafa Varela started it off in the beginning with big shots, also.”
St. Joseph opened a 17-point lead in the final frame, but Frassati didn’t go down quietly. The Falcons clawed back to within six points behind solid three-point shooting of their own. Frassati’s smooth shooting bigs Grant Guidry and Matt Jannes combined for 11 points, and Jacob Morgan added 10 in a 28-point fourth.
But with time dwindling, the Falcons had to foul often to stop the clock. John Martinez was clutch at the charity stripe, knocking down 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth to help his team secure the win.
Josh Martinez led all scorers with 31 points and John added 22. Guidry and Jannes finished with 18 and 17 for Frassati, respectively.
“To win a playoff game at home is always a great feeling. It’s been a tough road and we played a tough schedule to get us ready for these games, and I’m really proud of the boys,” Lucio said.