-Saw more of what Martin could do on the ball as a playmaker in this showcase and he did not disappoint the crowd in attendance.
Martin did a great job of distributing the ball to his shooters and generating paint touches, came up with some tough catches in traffic in transition and finished through some tough angles around the rim, and showed the skill level with a bump and pound dribble at the elbow straight into the pull-up jumper that splashed through nothing but net. Even in a showcase environment, he was an aggressive POA defender that took on whoever the hot scorer was on the opposing team. Martin will now turn his attention to choosing a suitor for the next level as he has received consistent interest from Wright State, Truman State, and Davis and Elkins as a two-way combo guard with a diverse skillset.

Martin led the scoring attack for Blake in an efficient manner as the strong-framed, 6-foot-2 combo guard was the sparkplug in the second quarter that allowed his team to head into the break with a lead. Martin’s balance as a three-level scorer makes his defender play him honestly and with that, he showed off his ability to score in a variety of ways including a pull-up triple, tough drives and finishes with either hand or using his strength to impose his physical presence in the mid-post before hitting fadeaways with touch. Martin scored his 14 points on 6-of-12 from the field and secured six boards.

Martin is coming off an impressive performance in the Class 4A Final Four game against Meade where he was responsible for guarding the back-to-back AA Count POY, ’27 Keon Scott Keon Scott 6'2" | PG/CG Meade | 2027 State MD . Scott would eventually exit the game with injury, but it was Martin’s physical, prideful defense that would help contain the potent scorer in the 15:47 that he logged. Martin has been a foundational piece for head coach Brandon Howell’s 24-3 group that will meet county opponent Whitman on Saturday night for the 4A crown. Martin’s ability to play on or off the ball while maintaining an impact on the game is what makes him one of the better available backcourt options at this point. His frame will translate well to the college level as will his work ethic, that should result in evident progression over time. Martin rises from No. 41 to No. 34 in the final update.

9p 9r 2a 1s

-The physical combo guard prospect didn’t have the best scoring performance but made up for it in other ways, impacting the game as a defender and rebounder to help Blake come away with a trophy. Thought that Martin did a great job defensively on his opponent’s best scorer throughout the 1H until foul trouble relegated him to a different matchup. Martin uses a strong frame to bump drivers off their spot, switch onto forward prospects or rotate over to contest shots around the rim, and carve out plenty of space on the glass to finish with a near double-double. His best play came on a crucial rip through drive to the rim from the wing that saw him adjust in midair to reach back and stick the layup off the window from under the rim through the contact for a huge AND1 bucket. The unsigned senior completed an unofficial visit to Wright State earlier this month and will likely continue to boost his stock during the rest of postseason play.

Tahj has been the definition of a true floor general all season. Really plays the position with poise that stands out immediately. He attacks with intention, always hunting the best shot possible instead of rushing possessions. His passes have zip to it, and his vision shows up in the way he anticipates openings before they develop. As a shooter, he’s deadly both off the catch and when he creates behind the arc, which forces defenses to guard him honestly at all times. He can also slash into the lane and make the defense pay at the rim when they overplay the jumper. In the pick-and-roll, he’s comfortable controlling pace and picking matchups apart. Tahj’s patience allows him to score or create at any point in the possession, which makes him an elite presence at the high school level.

Martin continues to stack productive outings this fall in the various events that Blake has participated in. At 6-foot-2, he can be featured either on or off the ball and impact the game in different ways from each position. On the ball, he’s a threat in high ball screens to come off and make a play getting to the rim for himself or creating an open look for his bigs along the baseline or shooters in the corner. When he plays off the ball, his floor-spacing becomes evident as Martin is equipped with a quick trigger that can extend beyond the HS three-point line.

Martin is another name out of the DMV area that has made waves within the LM/LM+ community. He’s a 6-foot-2 sharpshooter who, similar to Owinje, can fill it up from beyond the arc in a hurry. Where he improved the most this summer was his ability to create off the bounce both for himself and as a processor for others. Baba Oladotun won’t be with Blake this weekend as he sets off for his official visit to Georgetown, which means there will be even more opportunity to Martin to showcase the improvements within his entire skill set.

I believe Tahj is a bit underrated when it comes to his playmaking ability. He uses his deep-shot threat to draw defenders in towards him for an easy dime. His shot threat and playmaking ability is most evident through the pick-and-roll. Tahj knows how to leverage his dribble with his pullup threat to slowly shift the defense out of position. He throws strong passes to shooters and knows when to hit his roller in P&R. Tahj spent the summer dialing up his shooters in AAU and team play alike. He was a big catalyst in a lot of his teammates’ big scoring games over summer. I see Tahj having a big season and breaking out in his senior season as a top guard in MoCo.

12p 1r 1a 1s vs DeMatha

-Liked Martin’s activity in this one as an off-ball mover that finds pockets in the defense to get off clean 3 point looks at the rim. Love his frame and the duality of his skillset to thrive as a physical guard that can play both on or off the ball. Stepped in to take and make some BIG three point shots that came at times when Blake really needed a bucket to stay in the game. Loved seeing the touch on a floater that he hit off glass, but also loved the physical brand of on-ball defense that he plays with at the other end of the floor. 

Tahj has been a lead guard to the heavyweight Blake team this season. He impresses with steady game play and consistent production. Martin can drill the deep ball and likes to shoot off the dribble as much as being set for a C&S 3. Does a good job of making sure the offense flows and he finds his shots within. Keeps the defense guessing with his decisive handle and quick trigger. Difference-maker on the floor for a tough Blake squad who is looking to make a late season push.