Spartan Slayer

Platt senior guard Damika Martinez made sure cross-town rival Maloney’s first postseason appearance since 1989 was a short one.

Martinez broke her own school record by scoring 46 points in 10^th seeded Platt’s 60-43 first-round win over the 23^rd seed Spartans in front of a packed gym at Platt high school Monday night.

Martinez, who is headed to Iona (N.Y.) next season, hit five 3-pointers and 13 of 16 free throws, helping the Panthers (15-6) beat the Spartans (10-11) for a third time this season. Platt advances to play at No. 7 seed Farmington (16-5) on Thursday.

Martinez said the career night felt extra special because of what she was hearing leading up to the third meeting between the rivals (Platt won the first two meetings by scores of 52-37 and 43-41).

“It kinda feels good because there was a lot of talk that we were going to lose because it was the third time we played them and the second time they almost beat us,” she said. “It is a good feeling.”

Second-year Maloney coach Amy Gilchrist wasn’t feeling as good afterwards.

“She was on,” Gilchrist said. “I would love to know what her shooting percentage was because I can think of, off the top of my head, maybe two shots she missed tonight. When someone scores (48) on you it’s going to be hard to pull out the ‘W.’”

That is certainly an understatement.  

Martinez turned a game that was all about the cross-town rivalry into her personal showcase.  She scored all 13 of her team’s points in the second quarter and had as many points at halftime (16) as the entire Maloney team.

Martinez continued her dazzling performance by scoring 12 points in the third quarter, when the Panthers turned a close game into a blowout (they led 44-25 after three quarters).

It wasn’t as if the Spartans played terrible defense,either.  A good amount of her shots were
contested, but it didn’t matter. Martinez was unstoppable.

“You give her an inch, just a bit of daylight, and she’s going to make the most of it,” Platt coach Tom Johnson said.

“She was hot; she was in a zone,” Gilchrist said.  “Hats off to her, she’s a great player. I tell my girls, if you’re up on her and she makes a shot in your face, all you can do is extend your hand and say, ‘Great shot.’”

All in all, it was a successful season for the Spartans, who had won a mere 10 games over the last two seasons.

Gilchrist was upbeat because toward the end her kids showed the same fight that has helped turn the program around.

Kelsey Malinowski had 16 points and Jasana Levy added 14 for Maloney, which cut a 20-point lead to 10 with 1:43 left, but couldn’t pull off the miracle comeback.

“I’m so proud (of the kids),” she said.

“The seniors have been working hard. Jasana’s our junior. We have a few sophomores that are working hard. We have some freshmen that have been contributing, so it’s nice to see.”

And Gilchrist had no issues with the hand the CIAC tournament committee dealt her team.

“It would have been nice to play a team that we hadn’t played this season, a team from a different conference. But we were happy to be here and whatever team we faced we were going to prepare and go from there.

“Having not made the tournament since 1989, this atmosphere
is a great atmosphere to have your first-ever state game. I’m not upset that we had to play Platt.”

But Johnson had a different viewpoint on having to play Maloney a third time.

“You don’t want to see somebody you played twice already,” he said. “You want to see somebody from a different conference.”

Johnson will get his wish Thursday when the Panthers face
Farmington.  He said he feels pretty confident about the matchup.

“I think we have a shot against Farmington,” Johnson said. “They aren’t as strong as in year’s past. I know they are going to play a diamond-and-one. 

"They do that every time we play them. But I think we have a shot. If she (Martinez) plays like she did tonight we definitely have a shot.”

That’s for sure.

Correction: Meriden Patch originally reported that Damika Martinez scored 48 points during this game. She actually scored 46. The change is reflected in the piece.