Post by NZBC on Aug 3, 2013 21:18:33 GMT 12
Diminutive point guard Heather Martin-Chan bounces back every time she is knocked down.
The 150cm tall 14-year-old doesn’t fit the stereotypical basketballer’s build and over the last six years she has learnt to take more than her fair share of hits on and off the court.
Her skills have not only attracted the attention of opposition players – who have taken to doubleteaming the speedster sending her regularly crashing into the hardwood – but also American schools.
In six weeks Heather will become the youngest New Zealand female to be scouted to play basketball in the United States when she starts school at Layton Christian Academy in Utah.
She has been invited to complete four years of high school and play for the Lady Eagles who have a history of being one of the top teams in the state.
Two boys from Auckland already attend the school and are looking forward to the arrival of their Kiwi sister who has been attending Albany Junior High School.
A Youtube clip of the Heather’s talents was enough for two American schools to vie for her services, both insisting she be available to play for them.
Keen to see out the local season and attend nationals with her under-15 Waitakere West Auckland team, Heather chose the school which allowed her to arrive in August.
Watching her quiet, unassuming daughter come alive when she has a basketball in hand motivates Hilary Martin-Chan to do all that she can to give Heather this opportunity – despite extended family questioning the rationale behind letting her go so young.
‘‘It is the real Heather on the basketball court. It’s like she holds her breath and when she is on the court she breathes,’’ Hilary says.
‘‘The hits she takes, she just gets up and puts herself in the way again. I don’t know if it is heroic or stupid.’’
The double-edged sword of standing out at such a young age is that Heather does not qualify for any scholarships yet and her parents are watching the bills mount as they set her up for life away from home.
Heather’s family, which includes her twin sister and younger brother, are preparing to maintain their close bond through Skype as they won’t be able to afford to visit her during the year.
Despite the sacrifices, Hilary wasn’t going to let that be a barrier to Heather’s future.
‘‘She wants to be a Tall Fern and to help her achieve that we have to let her go to the other side of the world because no one here is looking, they think she is too short,’’ Hilary says.
At the American under-16 nationals this year there were two point guards around 170cm tall, which gives Heather hope.
Heather has heard all the reasons why she shouldn’t succeed.
One coach believed it isn’t a game for girls and last season her coach told her she was too small to be any good at international level.
Though Tall Fern Angela Marino, who is 165cm tall, and attended the Olympics at 18 years old has proven it can be done.
Forgetting the naysayers, Hilary is thankful for the likes of former internationals and age-group coaches Jody Cameron and Chris Simpson for their guidance as well as North Harbour Basketball development manager Alex Stojkovic who helped Heather return to the court after under-going surgery for a hand injury.
‘‘They saw her passion for the game, not her size. She wouldn’t still be playing if it wasn’t for people like that. They are very important people to this family.’’
Persistence has reaped rewards as Heather has represented New Zealand in age-group competition and played for the New Zealand Chinese Association.
Heather may be the first young Kiwi girl to take this route stateside, but her family are adamant she shouldn’t be the last. fairfaxmedia.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx