by Malcolm Butler
“It’s more than just basketball.”
That’s the overriding sentiment echoed when talking to new Cedar Creek School head boys basketball coach Todd Martinez and seniors Jake Terry and Cameron Temple.
Although hoops is on the horizon for the Cougars with the Brickhouse Bash set for Nov. 11 and the season opener the following week, the trio are focused on what some might say is the bigger picture.
“It’s about growing a culture of getting one percent better every day,” said Martinez, the longtime veteran high school coach who spent last year at West Ouachita. “If you do that, you are going to care when you leave. When you come back, you are going to want the basketball program to be successful. It has to start with someone. And that is Cam and Jake.
“I am really big on character and being a light wherever we play at whether we win or lose. I believe in that concept. It took a minute, but they are starting to buy into that. My goal is to implement a system that we can grow with.”
Neither Terry nor Temple shy away from the truth when talking about the transition to a new coach as they head into their final year on the high school court.
“It’s been a big culture change for me,” said Terry. “It was rough for a little bit, but I think we have handled it really well. Coach (Martinez) has come in and brought a lot of new stuff; a lot of really good things we need to make us successful.
“He wants to make us better men for the future. It’s more than just basketball. It’s been good for all of us. Cam and I are just trying to be senior leaders that this team needs.”
His backcourt teammates agrees.
“I like the culture he is trying to establish,” said Temple. “It’s family. It’s more program based. It’s multiple guys being involved. It’s not just us. It’s working with elementary school kids. It’s going to be good for the future. It’s a different coaching style, but it works with this team really well.”
The dynamic duo were a big part of the Cougars run to the Select School Division IV quarterfinals last year which included a road upset over No. 5 seed Vermillion Catholic. The Cougars battled through injuries and adversity in posting a 15-10 record.
And although Cannon Robbins and Jack Bell graduated and there is still some uncertainty what Creek football players may or may not hit the hardwood following the gridiron season, the confidence gleaned from last year is obvious when talking to them.
That combined with outside noise from those who don’t believe the Cougars can repeat that success is fueling both seniors.
“What we did last year was incredible, but not many people are expecting much out of us this year,” said Temple. “Jake and I hear it every day. Coach tells us to keep our head down, rely on each other, and make each other better every day. We have to just rely on each other and our teammates.”
“I am really excited,” said Terry. “The last two seasons have been great. We had such a great year last year coming off the best season in a long time. A lot of people are doubting us, saying they lost Cannon and they lost Jack and they lost these other guys. They have a new coach. It’s going to be different.
“But it’s about more than just basketball. I want to show people the person I am. I want to make an impact at Cedar Creek before I leave and help set a foundation that this program can build upon after I am gone.”
Martinez is quick to give his predecessor at Cedar Creek credit. Lance Waldron departed last summer and is now the head coach at D’Arbonne Woods Charter School after serving as the Cougars head coach for three seasons.
“We are picking up where he left off and continuing to grow,” said Martinez. “It may not be the exact same direction, but the ultimate goal for most coaches is to grow you as a person and have you leave here better than we found you. I believe Coach Waldron did a tremendous job with that. We have really good kids here. He built a really good foundation.
“We are just putting our signature on that foundation and building it in the direction that we see fit with the personnel that we have.”
The Cougars have been practicing with six varsity players while the Creek football team is still in season as Terry and Temple are currently joined by sophomore Bridger Reynolds, freshman Jase Martin, junior Rhett Bridges, and sophomore Brett Hasty. And although Martinez isn’t sure what his final roster will look like come end of the calendar year, he is confident that they are headed in the right direction.
“We have talented kids who believe they are going to win because of the success they had last year,” said Martinez. “Early success is very, very important, and with that, I think we could have a really good year.”
In order to maximize that success, leadership from the two most experienced players is critical.
“I need to provide leadership and realize I need to be a bigger option (on the court),” said Temple. “Last year we had a lot of great pieces like Cannon (Robbins) and Jack (Bell) and Brett (Bell). It’s a change. Jake and I are the only seniors. I realize I need to take on more of a leadership role and be more assertive on the court.”
“I think I can be a better leader through my actions on the court,” said Terry. “Just playing hard while showing people it’s about more than just the game of basketball. Christ above all. I want my actions to show that message.”
