For improving August Martin, consistent effort the goal

Patrice Lewis went at her teammates as she has the opposition thus far - hard, intense and without letup.
“If we don’t start showing commitment, if we don’t all start showing up to practice,” the high scoring forward said after August Martin’s first loss, a 56-49 setback to South Shore last Friday, “we’re not going to surprise the PSAL.”
The Falcons have won four of their five league games, sit atop Queens ‘AA’ and, in the equally vocal and talented Lewis, have the borough’s leading scorer at 26 points per game.
Yet not all is well.
Two integral freshmen - Starasia Lawley and Jahcilia Amajie - were not on the court in the loss to South Shore.
Lawley has played in just two games after being ruled academically ineligible. Amajie, meanwhile, is free to play, but was absent against the Vikings and has attended practices sporadically.
It is not just the youngest players who are letting down the Falcons. Junior center Tenille Smallwood missed the first half for personal reasons and several players came out flat against the Vikings.
Martin trailed by 16 points at halftime, nearly rallied behind Lewis and fellow junior, point guard Krystina Agard, before turnovers and an inability to control their defensive glass did them in. But it wasn’t the loss that had Lewis fuming afterward - rather, missed practices and lack of effort and intensity.
“There isn’t enough commitment to the team,” she said.
“Everybody needs to practice harder,” Agard agreed. “Everybody isn’t working hard enough so we can be a better team.”
Lewis has seen what the Falcons full complement of players can do when ready, willing, and able. She has also seen what they cannot or will not do. Getting extreme effort may just be the difference between winning Queens or falling short, making a lengthy run in the playoffs or bowing out early.
“If we work hard, it can happen,” Lewis said. “But if we don’t, then no.”
Martin Coach Joel Ascher, though, noted the school’s staggered schedule factors into the equation. Some players finish classes at 2:30, others at 3:30, and others at 4:30. Some are on a lengthened three-day schedule. Others go five days a week.
“We, basically, don’t have all of our kids together for a big part of time,” he said. “It’s frustrating.”
Based on talent and potential, the Falcons are the best in the borough. Energetic sophomore guard Tinamarie Sasser has come on strong since the loss of Lawley. Agard and Lewis, in their third year as starters, are blossoming into possible all-city candidates. The 6-foot Smallwood has added much-needed size in the paint. When the Falcons get on the same page, there is no telling what they can accomplish.
“I’m pretty satisfied with the progress we’re making,” Ascher said. “Slow but steady. We have a very good chance to make a run in the playoffs.”