Built to be a defensive enforcer at middle linebacker, Noah Martin might not be the flashiest basketball player, but his energy remains top-notch on the hardwood.
The Samford football signee helped lead the charge for Baylor on senior night as Martin and his teammates exacted revenge against Chattanooga Christian with a 62-33 blowout victory.
The Red Raiders pushed past a tough personnel loss as junior Nick Kurtz got banged up in the first quarter and could not return. Despite missing its 6-foot-6 junior center who averages 19.7 points and has shot 76% on 2-point shots this season, Baylor rolled to 15-8 and 3-2 in Division II-AA East region play.
"Nick has been the center of our offense and defense. He has been the best player on our team, and anyone would tell you that," said Martin, who finished with nine points and eight rebounds.
"I am not the offensive powerhouse player he is, but I am going to hustle and help get my team shots. We might not have a lot of basketball-first guys, but everyone from the first man on the floor to the last man on the bench carries the Baylor pride with them. We all leave it all out on the court."
Martin was in the right place for putbacks, drew offensive fouls, skied for passes off inbounds plays and helped impose his will with others.
The Red Raiders came out of the halftime break executing in every phase of the game, turning a 10-point halftime lead into a 51-20 runaway with eight minutes left to play.
Seven players for the home team scored in the third quarter in which coach Mark Price's second-year team shot 11-of-13 from the field. Seniors Gehrig Ebel and Grant Johnson were aggresive and hit a pair of difficult layups.
"Guys had to play roles they normally don't play," Price said. "When you have to make an adjustment on the fly, it comes down to not necessarily the talent level, but the determination and will of your players. Everyone raised their level a bit more without Nick.
"I thought Noah played the biggest difference for us. He is a high-character guy and a battler. He will do whatever you ask him to do without care for how he gets it done or if he looks good doing it. He made tonight easier to deal with."
Baylor's Al Peciulis showed off his growing potential as the smooth sophomore finished with 19 points. Fellow second-year teammate Eli Sparkman finished with 15, and junior Ivan Reap contributed seven points and five assists.
Senior star Michael Houge led CCS (15-9, 1-5) with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Rod Young had eight points and four assists.
Lady Red Raiders 60, Lady Chargers 39
Thanks in part to the leadership of Macy Ann McKnight, the state's third-ranked Baylor girls currently boast the program's highest winning percentage in the 21st century.
The West Georgia softball signee who has been a key part of three softball state championships is the only senior on her basketball team, which improved to 23-5 (.821) and 5-0 in region play Tuesday.
"Softball state titles are a big part of my memories here, but the life lessons in basketball I have learned are huge, too," McKnight said after scoring 12 points in Tuesday's win over CCS. "Coach (John) Gibson has really impacted my life. He has helped me learn to push through things."
Baylor was also led by Cadashia Collins, who made four first-quarter 3-pointers. Junior Lady Raiders star and Miss Basketball finalist Raegyn Conley led all scorers with 16 points.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.