Ever since Corner Canyon High senior Kemery Martin signed her national letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Utah last summer, her senior year has gone smoothly. She led the Chargers to the Class 5A title game — a first for the program — and had her sights set on being named a McDonald’s All-American.
Although Corner Canyon lost in the championship contest, and she did not make the McDonald’s team after being nominated, Martin got a consolation prize Friday when she was named Utah Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season. Martin is the first athlete from Corner Canyon, which has been in existence for six years, to receive the accolade.
“This school, because it’s kind of newer, it still has a lot of opportunities and a lot of good athletes here,” Martin told The Salt Lake Tribune on Monday. “So me to be able to get the first one — I don’t know, I guess I was just happy as well as being able to be [an] example for the girls around us.”
Martin averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3 steals per game for the Chargers this past season. She was named Region 7 Player of the Year as a junior and is also a three-time first-team all-state player. Martin won the award not only for her athletic prowess but also for her studies as she maintained a 3.41 GPA.
Chargers coach Jeramy Acker, who has coached Martin the past two years, said when he received the email informing him of her award, he felt “super-elated,” “excited,” and “proud of her.” He credited Martin’s dedication, perseverance and love of basketball.
“She has great family, great support system," Acker said, “and she never quits.”
Martin is now in the running for Gatorade National Player of the Year for girls’ basketball. For now, though, she’ll enjoy the Utah prize while also remembering she has a long basketball career ahead of her.
“Gatorade was just something that kept me happy,” Martin said.
