LAGUNA, N.M.First year Lady Hawk head coach, Jolynn Martinez, is having early success with her team as they have a strong 6-2 start. In fact, those two losses were to larger 4A schools at a recent tournament in Moriarty.
“They are working hard and I am pushing them,” said Martinez of her coaching style. “I am proud of how they have played with the 4A schools.”
Martinez added, “It has really been fun seeing these girls reach their short-term goals and are accepting me to push them.”
Martinez will be the first to tell you that she is a very “hyper active” coach and is very “involved” during the game. “I take from what I know and what I was taught and use that to teach them to better themselves,” said Martinez. Though she can be tough and demanding she also believes in communication, when players aren’t hitting shots, missing free throws or are frustrated Martinez does communicate and works to get them through their slumps.
Martinez, a multi-sport athlete who played sports for Hatch, her hometown, also coached volleyball, softball and of course basketball before taking the head coach job at Laguna-Acoma.
Martinez draws from her experience and background to create the foundation of her coaching philosophy.
Martinez knows her team has potential and is working out the kinks to push her team forward. In fact, when they played 4A Goddard in the Moriarty Tournament on December 12, they lost by 10 points and decided focusing on improving free throw shooting is one of those kinks the Lady Hawks have to work out as the season continues.
The Lady Hawks did take third place at the Moriarty tournament. In their last game against Moriarity. Top scorers for the Hawks were Brianna Carillo with 16 points, Tavani Scott with 10 points and Jasie Garcia with nine points.
Next up for the Lady Hawks will be Tohatchi (42) at home on December 18. “We are going in with a clear mindset,” said Martinez of that upcoming game. “Only one gets to go home a winner—we hope that’s us.”