Ella Martin Eyes Legacy as She Nears Scoring Record

Westerville — Growing up in a basketball family, it’s no surprise that Westerville Central’s Ella Martin has emerged as a standout player. Her older brother, Devin, plays at Wheaton College in Illinois and was a starter during his freshman season.

Her father, Kevin, has been at the helm of Westerville Central’s boys basketball program and now coaches Ella in AAU ball. Growing up, Martin spent most of her weekends in gyms or at tournaments, and eventually that passion rubbed off on her.

After moving to Westerville from New Albany in eighth grade, Martin began taking the game more seriously and unlocked her potential. “I really started focusing on getting better instead of just going through the motions,” she explained. “I started coming in by myself and putting in extra work to try and improve.”

Fast forward four years, and the Warhawk star is on the verge of becoming the all-time leading scorer in both the program and school’s history. The current record, set at 1,069 points by Andrea Hodge, stands as the girls’ and school record for career points in basketball at Westerville Central.

Having surpassed the 1,000-point mark this season against Gahanna-Lincoln, Martin wrapped up the playoffs just two points shy of the record. It’s an anticlimactic end to her pursuit of history, but only for now. In next season’s opener, she is expected to etch her name atop the record books.

Martin’s near-complete ascent to the top came with its share of learning curves and lessons. As a dynamic scorer, she drew extra attention from defenses early in her career. Adjusting to that pressure required both a mindset shift and a period of growth.

“Coming in as a freshman, I started to get frustrated because teams were starting to double team me,” she reflected. “It was hard for me to keep up with that against such high level competition. Since, I’ve really just worked on my mindset, which has been my biggest evolution.”

That mindset shift has paid off, making Martin a better teammate and creating better scoring opportunities when the moment is right. “If I used to go a quarter without scoring, I felt like I had to force a shot,” she explained. “I wouldn’t always take the best looks. Now, I focus on moving the ball and helping the team find the right shots.”

Throughout her journey, Martin has had her father, Kevin, by her side, playing a crucial role in keeping her grounded and growing as an athlete. “He always says to work hard and that I have a different role in every game,” she said. “He’s helped me with my effort and work ethic while also keeping my mindset right and staying calm. He’s always been a big encouragement.”

As much as climbing to the top of the record books is a personal achievement, Martin sees it as a reflection of everyone who helped her get there. “What means the most to me is my teammates celebrating that accomplishment with me,” she said, looking back on her 1,000-point milestone. “I wouldn’t have reached that milestone without all of them, all the coaches who helped me. It was exciting not just for me, but to celebrate with my team.”

For her senior season, Martin has two clear goals in mind: winning a district championship and leaving a lasting legacy. This past season, the Lady Warhawks fell just short, losing to Bishop Watterson in the district final, a loss that fuels her drive for redemption. “We lost by four points, which hurts,” she said. “We are definitely capable of coming back and winning a district championship.”

As for her second goal, Martin puts it best in her own words: “I want to help develop our younger players and really push myself in that leadership role,” she said. “I’ll be a senior, and it will be my last time playing with them, so I want to leave them something to remember and help them while I’m still there with them.”

When Ella Martin enters her senior season, she stands on the brink of history, ready to cement her legacy not just as Westerville Central’s all-time leading scorer, but as a leader determined to elevate those around her. With a district championship in sight and a lasting impact to leave, Martin’s senior year is set to be her most meaningful yet.