By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Seth Martin, a Lakeland Christian Academy senior, scored his 1,000th career point in basketball during a game in December 2022. Photos provided by Martin.

WINONA LAKE — Ever since he was young, basketball has been a part of Seth Martin’s life.

Martin began playing for Warsaw Christian School in fourth grade, and joined Lakeland Christian Academy’s team during his middle and high school careers.

“I grew up playing basketball with my dad and brother,” said Martin. “It was something we always did together and it was fun. (I grew) up throughout high school with the four senior guys we have on the team, and sectional championships are always fun to play in. There’s definitely relationships you get, the bonds you get with spending every day with (the team).” 

In December 2022, the 18-year-old, 6’3”, LCA senior scored his 1,000th career point during a home game against Bluffton. LCA’s team also won that game with a score of 55-43.

The day he scored his 1,000th point, Martin woke up early, as he typically does on a game day, to spend an hour practicing at the gym before going to classes and then playing against Bluffton.

“I needed 13 points going into that day (to hit 1,000 career points),” said Martin. “I really wanted it that day, because I was going to have family (at the game). Being able to not think about it too much was the process I went through during the school day.”

As the National Anthem began playing prior to the game, Martin paused and took a breath, calming himself before scoring his 1,000th career point during the second half of the game while more than a dozen of his relatives cheered.

Following this achievement, LCA’s boys’ basketball team later won the annual Cougar Classic tournament in January by defeating Bethany Christian Academy 38-36. This is the first time LCA has won the tournament since 1995. 

Martin was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“That was pretty cool,” said Martin.

When not on the basketball court three hours a day, six days a week, Martin enjoys hanging out with his friends and long-boarding in Winona Lake.

Role models Martin looks up to in the world of basketball include Allen Iverson, a former NBA point guard; Tyler Ulis, a former point guard for the University of Kentucky; and Kobe Bryant.

Currently, Martin is unsure of what his plans are after high school. He’s leaning toward playing college basketball but is considering a business or communications major.

Martin encourages anyone interested in playing or even casually trying out basketball to do so.

“The relationships you create with your teammates are amazing,” said Martin. “It’s such a bond that is unbreakable. A basketball season is so long where you go through stretches where it’s hard to be around each other, but those are also growing opportunities. The relationships within basketball are huge.”

Martin, pictured here in the #14 jersey, plays during a game.