“I don’t think we’ve ever just left it at the gym,” laughed Chloe.
“It spills over, but we both love it,” said Lisa. “We go home and watch basketball. During the season we’re trying to find a game on TV. It’s just in our DNA and part of our family.”
That dynamic was put to the test earlier this season when Chloe suffered a concussion diving for a loose ball in a game against Broken Arrow. The injury forced her to miss a couple weeks of action. In fact, the first week she was out she was unable to attend games or even watch on the internet. She was forced to listen on the radio.
“It was hard, especially not being able to be here with them and encouraging them,” said Chloe, who scored her 1,000th career point earlier this season. “We have a lot of young kids that haven’t played much varsity, so it was hard not getting to talk them through that.”
Chloe was able to return to the bench for the Bruins’ game against Owasso two weeks ago and for that night, the Pittsburg State commit became the third Martin coach in the huddle.
“I was there, getting to talk to them and letting them see what I see,” said Chloe.
“There was a couple of times where she would come over and say, ‘Now I know what you guys go through,'” said Lisa. “‘I understand it better now.'”
Whether or not she continues the family coaching legacy remains to be seen, but for now, the Martins are relishing the time they’re spending together.
“It’s been really good. Chloe would probably tell you it’s been a challenge,” said Donnie. “I know she feels like we’re always hardest on her, and we probably have made that mistake at times, but all in all, hopefully she would say it’s been a great experience as well.”
“They push me really hard,” admitted Chloe. “I know they want me to be the absolute best and they expect a lot out of me.”
Bartlesville will be featured live on YurView Cox channel 3 when both the boys and girls basketball teams battle Booker T. Washington in the High School Hoops Showcase on Saturday, Feb 1 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, starting at 6pm. This Ford Game of the Week will also be streamed live on Yurview.com.
