Basketball Standouts Honored as North Oaks Sports Medicine Student-Athletes of the Winter Season

North Oaks Sports Medicine certified athletic trainers have joined with North Oaks Orthopaedic Specialty Center providers to select Sidreka Martin of Jewel Sumner High School in Kentwood and Landon Neal of Oak Forest Academy in Amite as “Student-Athletes of the Winter Season” for November-December 2020 and January 2021.

Junior Sidreka Martin plays center for the Jewel Sumner High School Cowgirls Basketball team and has a 3.36 GPA. She is pictured at center with Cowgirls Head Basketball Coach Kara Corkern (left) and North Oaks Sports Medicine Certified Athletic Trainer Nicholas Primm (right). 

Martin, who has played basketball for one year, averages 4 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist per game.

“Sidreka is always encouraging her peers to push themselves to make better grades and be better athletes,” remarks Corkern. “She also inspires them to be good people and make positive choices.”

Landon Neal is a senior at Oak Forest Academy with a 4.0 GPA. He is pictured second from left with Oak Forest Academy Athletic Director Drew Misita (left), Hornets Head Basketball Coach Curtis Matherne (second from right) and North Oaks Sports Medicine Certified Athletic Trainer Ami Brumfield (far right). 

A shooting guard and excellent defender, Neal averages 17 points per game. In the Yellow Jackets’ Dec. 29 matchup versus Wayne Academy, Neal surpassed his average by scoring 19 points in the first quarter.

“Landon is extremely respectful of his coaches, teammates and faculty. He’s always looking to lend a helping hand, and I love watching him mentor younger players on what it takes to become great young men and balance academics with athletics day-to-day,” Matherne explains. “Landon is an absolute joy to coach and have around.”

Off the court, Neal belongs to the Beta and Interact Clubs. He serves on the Prom Committee and placed first in the District Literary Rally. He also plays competitive soccer.

Principals, coaches and athletic directors from high schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes nominate student-athletes. Candidates must: have a 3.0 GPA or higher, excel in athletic competition, participate in school and community organizations and have earned the respect of coaches, teammates, officials, teachers and their peers.

In May 2021, the North Oaks Sports Medicine team will choose a “Student-Athlete of the Year” from all season honorees.

Nomination forms are available here or can be requested by calling North Oaks Sports Medicine at (985) 230-5248.