Martin’s Mill sweeps Alba-Golden

Posted 1/9/25

The Martin’s Mill Mustangs came to Alba-Golden Panther gymnasium on New Years Eve Day and dealt two decisive defeats to the varsity hosts.

The Lady Mustangs prevailed 65-29 and the …

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Martin’s Mill sweeps Alba-Golden

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The Martin’s Mill Mustangs came to Alba-Golden Panther gymnasium on New Years Eve Day and dealt two decisive defeats to the varsity hosts.

The Lady Mustangs prevailed 65-29 and the Mustangs handled the Panthers 76-41. 

Martin’s Mill is one of those small schools that has built and continues to realize a lasting sports legacy. Two examples of how they play are their man-to-man defensive technique and their ability to push the ball down the floor.

Even at the earliest level of Little Dribblers competition, young basketball players are taught to guard the opponent by focusing their eyes on the ballhandler’s belly button.

This center-of-mass focus gives the highest probability of remaining between the person with the ball and the basket.

The Lady Mustangs practice this technique, intently. Despite the ‘bellybutton defensive technique’ being taught throughout scholastic basketball, it is seldom obviously employed on the court. 

Against the Lady Panthers, Martin’s Mill limited Alba-Golden to seven first quarter points and three fourth quarter points. The result – a wide-margin victory. Much of that was because of the intense defensive pressure applied by the Lady Mustangs.

The second aspect of Martin’s Mill basketball which dominated the play last week at Alba-Golden was running the floor. The technique was not snow-birding or using long passes ahead to initiate a break.

What the Mustangs employed was the ability to create a break from any position on the floor as long as defenders were yet in transition. 

They run the court from defensive rebounds, steals, traps and inbound plays. The Mustangs were adept at identifying exactly how to slice through the repositioning defense in the most efficient manner possible. 

The result? A 35-point win and 76 points.  

Alba-Golden varsity squads acquitted themselves well, but they are not in the same league as the district-leading Mustangs.