BIDDEFORD – Gracie Martin’s basketball career has been filled with high praise and accolades, and the Biddeford High School standout is receiving at least one more award.
The Journal Tribune has selected Martin as the paper’s high school girls basketball Most Valuable Player, an honor she’s earned for three consecutive years.
“It means so much to me,” Martin said. “I am grateful to be awarded this, (and) I hope to inspire the younger generations throughout the community … My senior basketball season was the most memorable because my team wasn’t just my team. I was playing with my best friends out there.”
The sharpshooting senior made her final year in a Tigers uniform one that she won’t forget anytime soon. She signed her letter of intent to play collegiately at Harvard University on Nov. 28. She scored her 1,000th career point on Dec. 11 against Marshwood. After the season ended, Martin was named the Lisa Blais Manning Student-Athlete of the Year, the Southwestern Maine Activities Association (SMAA) Co-Player of the Year (Class A) and a SMAA Class A First Team All-Star.
The most important achievement to Martin though hasn’t come from any recognition she’s received from playing basketball, she said. What’s most significant about her career is the progress she’s made from the first time she stepped first in high school to now.
“It is cool to look back and see myself as a freshman and how much I’ve grown in these past four years,” said Martin. “My main goal (in high school) was growth, and I definitely achieved this not only through my skill set increasing but my leadership abilities as well.”
Martin’s classmates, teammates and community neighbors are are responsible, she said, for helping her achieve what she’s accomplished on the hardwood. Her coaches and family have also helped along the way.
“My parents and sister – they are my No. 1 fans – (and) my high school basketball coach, Katie Herbine, has been a huge role model and advocate of mine,” said Martin. “I really appreciate that along with my other coaches, as well. My support system is incredible, and I want to thank anyone who has supported me throughout this journey.”
For the past three years, Martin has been a team captain for Biddeford. Her leadership qualities show when she discusses how seeing the Tigers become “more confident and collaborative” as a unit was one of the highlights of the season.
Although Martin has a team-first attitude, she does appreciate the recognition she has received for her performance. Martin will head to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the fall but she will always remember her Biddeford roots.
“In Biddeford, nothing is handed to you or given out easy, which is what I really think will help me in my next phase of life,” said Martin. “I think this mentality that Biddeford has instilled in me will help me persevere through obstacles and lead to my future success.”
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.com or at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.