Boys’ basketball: Martinez making a difference on the glass for Dons

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Not just anyone can rebound with great consistency. It takes some desire, the willingness to do whatever it takes to get to the ball, regardless of who or what’s in front of you. Make no mistake, positioning and footwork have a lot to do with it too. It’s an art form, in some ways. An art form Oscar Martinez of Verdugo Hills has perfected.

Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 289 pounds certainly helps, I suppose. Martinez ranks among the top 10 rebounders in the state, according to MaxPreps.com, and is averaging 15.4 boards a game heading into the final two games of the regular season this week. The Dons play at Grant on Wednesday and are at home Friday against North Hollywood.

‘Oscar is our version of Bryant ‘Big Country’ Reeves. Wait, he’s more like Kevin Love. Yeah, Kevin Love,’’ said Will Reinhart, the Dons’ public address announcer and boys’ volleyball coach. ‘We’re talking about a wide body, a big guy who can go for 20-plus rebounds at any time. He might be flying underneath the radar but he’s been huge, literally and figuratively, for the team.’’

Martinez has had 10 or more boards in all but two games and 17 or more rebounds on seven different occasions. He grabbed 20 against both Banning and Manual Arts and 25 against Grant. Now that’s production. That’s getting it done, plain and simple. If the ball is in his vicinity, you better believe Martinez is going to do his best to end up with it.

-- Sean Ceglinsky