Game 7 Sharks ELITE

John Martens (6’4’’, G/F, 2011, Middletown North) has experienced the best of both worlds. Martens has been a member of both the original team and current ELITE team, and has played a big part in the program’s success. Joining the program in August of 2008, he made his Sharks debut at the Red Storm Classic in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His impact was immediate and John played himself into a starting role during the tournament. He was also a part of the Sharks strong showings in the Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest (tough games against Team Boss, Connecticut Basketball Club, and Mountain Basketball) and Rebounds Fall High School League (big wins against Brick Memorial, Southern, Marlboro). Capping off a stellar debut season, John helped the Sharks win their first tournament in the program’s short history by capturing the 2008 Push The Rock Invitational with wins over House of Hoops, Hoop Starz Gym Ratz, and a championship game win over IYB Basketball.

Martens role increased in 2009. His leadership was evident in the 3T Summer Press in Newark, NJ. Martens helped the Sharks score a big Quarter-Final win vs. Newark Shields, and played his best game of the season in a tough Semi-Finals loss to the Delaware AIM Select. Closing out the 2009 season in the program’s first annual Go Hard Or Go Home tournament, Martens made sure the host team left with a championship. He dominated offensively in the Semi-Finals against Team Randy Foye, and had a very good defensive effort in the championship victory. 

After the 2009 AAU season, John went right to work for his school team, Middletown North. He averaged 13 PPG, 10 RPG, and 4 BPG, and was named team Most Valuable Player. One of his highlights from the season was a season high 26 points against Colts Neck, a game in which he connected on four long range bombs. At the season’s conclusion, John got to work right away with the Sharks coaching staff and has benefited from the program’s seriousness towards player development.

• “Words cannot explain how much the coaching staff has helped me.” – John Martens

Once the young gun of the program, Martens has been groomed to take over as the elder statesman of the Sharks. John has stepped up his leadership and overall game. Looking to make a statement early in the season, John matched the program record with 36 points in the season opener win versus the Lloyd Daniels Mid-Jersey Heat. He has helped lead the Sharks to runner up finishes in the USBA March Madness, Tip Off Classic, Hoop Challenge Super Series, and most recently the 17th annual Central Jersey Hawks Shore Shootout. In the Shootout, John gave the Sharks a 65-62 win over the Central Jersey Devils with a game winning three-pointer, and put up 25 points in a close championship loss to GSP.

• “He is the unquestioned vocal leader of not only the Game 7 Sharks program, but also of Middletown North. John has a very good all around game and has become one of the unsung heros of the Shore Conference and AAU/USBA scenes.” – Game 7 Sharks 15U Head Coach Tom Passafaro

He continues to improve both skill wise and physically, and has his sights on delievering more championships to the program. John’s leadership and composure will be put to the test this summer in the Hamilton Park Summer League in Jersey City, NJ. In the league, which runs through August, the Sharks will face state powerhouses such as St. Anthony’s, Paramus Catholic, and Sports University. John is currently attracting serious college interest from many programs at all levels. If you are interested in John Martens as a college prospect, please email Game7Sharks@aol.com. 

• “John has a very high ceiling and will be a steal to whichever school he decides on. He came into our program as primarily a four man/mobile five, but has worked extremely hard and now we can use him from all five positions on the court. I remember, when I played with him, being very impressed with his low post footwork and saying to myself that if he ever developed an outside game he would be close to unguardable. Well, he has brought his perimeter game to a whole new level this season and keeps improving. In college he most likely be a very efficient off guard/swingman.” – Game 7 Sharks ELITE Head Coach Greg Youncofski, Jr

John Martens (6’4’’, G/F, 2011, Middletown North)

• 3 year Shark

• Member of two Sharks championship teams

o 2008 Push The Rock Invitational

o 2009 Go Hard Or Go Home

• 2010 Middletown North MVP

• Sharks single game points record co-owner