Whiz Kid: Ellie Martin

Whiz Kid’s Name, Age: Ellie Martin, 16

Whiz Kid’s School:

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Two-year varsity starter on the Trojans girls basketball team who has helped take the place of the injured Christina Welsh and Taylor Swanson. Welsh tore both her ACL and MCL while Swanson also sustained a season-ending injury.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: The 5-foot-10 junior forward has done quite well in assuming new leadership roles since Welsh and Swanson went down in a 48-32 victory over New Fairfield on Jan. 25.

Martin is averaging a double-double – 13.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game —  and continues to play well through the tough circumstances for the Trojans after moving from power forward to small forward.

Martin’s role has grown considerably since riding the varsity bench her freshman season, when the Weston snuck into the state tournament with an 8-13 record under former coach Pat Cole.

Last season, the Trojans made dramatic strides, finishing 14-7 and qualifying for the South-West Conference playoffs and once against making the state tournament.

This season, with Martin helping to lead the way, Weston has shown more toughness and boasts an 11-3 record.

According to first-year Weson coach Dan Rosen, the key to Martin’s success is her tenacity in sprinting and aggressiveness in attacking the boards. Whether on offense or defense, she is all over the floor in games and in practice.

'That’s what competitors do and Ellie does just that,” Rosen said. “You always see her out in front.”

Martin began playing basketball in the second grade before going on to eventually play at Weston Middle School in the seventh and eighth grade. The stellar athlete also plays soccer and competes in sprinting and javelin events during the spring track season.