DCHS Head Basketball Coach Lynus Martin and three players were selected  to participate in the 2013 Tennessee All-Star Tournament at Middle Tennessee Christian in Murfreesboro on Saturday.
Seniors Sonni Fullilove, Braxton Atnip and Stephen Howell had a chance to play against some of the best talent in the state. Howell, however, did not get to play due to an ankle injury.
The Unsigned Blue Squad, to which DeKalb’s players were assigned, was guided by Coach Martin and DCHS Lady Tiger Head Coach Joe Pat Cope and finished the day with a 5-0 record.
After the tournament the Smithville Review asked Coach Martin a few questions.
Smithville Review: How were you selected to coach the Unsigned All-Star team?
Head Coach Lynus Martin:  I don't know. That is a great question. I would say that it is related to the great success of our program over the years and the season that we had. The other coach that was selected was Les Trotter from Waverly. They had a great season too. I would say that had a big part in the selection of coaches. It was a great honor. It was the first time that I have been selected to do this. We got to practice with the players the night before, hang out with them, had dinner with them. It was cool getting to spend time with these athletes during this experience. These players were intelligent and their skill level was amazing.
SR: With you being selected and Coach Trapp being selected in football, what does it say about DCHS athletics?
Martin: I thing our programs our heading in the right direction. It will be difficult to stay where we are. When you have high success in these areas, you are no longer the hunter, you are the game. You have a bullseye on your back. I think that is what you want for your program. You want to be in the lead when people talk about who is the best. As a whole, in DeKalb County, our sports organizations are in pretty good shape. It says a lot about the school, school athletics and our Tiger Pride. This is the backbone of the school. It makes things around thrive on it. It has been such a blessing for people to talk about. It's a blessing to be part of DeKalb County athletics. It's been great for all of us.
SR: Do you think it helps DeKalb County athletics having a former player as the A.D. now?
Martin: Academics is very important. I think if your director understands the importance of athletics, understands the motivation and spirit that flows from the athletics programs, the pride and determination, then you understand how the coincide with one another. Some of your highest ACT and SAT scores come from your athletes. They are thriving on the floor and in the classroom. If you can relate to the environment, we will continue to succeed more. It helps having the support of the director. It makes you more successful when you know that you have people behind you, people that want to see you win, people that know what you are going through, that will pat you on the back occasionally. Your backbone and success starts with your administrators. We have that support this year and it means a lot to the players and coaches.
SR: Talk about your three players that were selected to play in the Unsigned All-Star games.
Martin: Stephen Howell wasn't able to participate due to an injury. We also had Braxton Atnip and Sonni Fullilove. I had no idea that there were that many unsigned athletes. They were very good players. It was surprising to find players that averaged 23 points a game and were unsigned. Some of them are the “Best of the Best.” Our team finished 5-0, so they did really well. They looked good and they represented the school well. We had a great turnout from DeKalb County that day. We really appreciate our fans' dedication. We couldn't do it without the parents and the community.
SR: Having this experience, along with two of your players, how does this wrap up the season for you?
Martin: It puts everything in good perspective. I really wish we were at the state tournament. Out of the eight teams in AA, we could have played with six to seven of the teams, after watching the tournament. I truly mean that. Going toe- to-toe with Livingston and Chattanooga Howard, then watching what they were doing. I really feel like we were just as good. I don't know if it hurts more or makes you feel better, knowing that you were good enough. I think it is a little bit of both. The success of the All-Star games and being around those athletes, is very rewarding for myself and the program. You have to take your success and run with it, enjoy it. It just doesn't happen very often.
SR: How do you think this experience will help you as a coach?
Martin: It helps with interaction of other coaches. It helped to see how they think, what they go through on a daily basis. We are all probably the same. You can go interact with other coaches, for example, CPA, you are going to be that far off. You would do the same things they do. There are different levels of teaching. As a coach, you are only good as the players that you have. Ultimately, if you have good players, you will have better success. It was a great interaction of meeting new people, making new connections, meeting new friends. Some of those will be lifelong. I met three people this week that I am staying in touch with. Coaching is like a fraternity, when you get to be with each other, you form that brotherly bond with one another. I really enjoyed that. That is one thing I love about coaching. I enjoy the friendships, bonding, being around those guys. I also love teaching and mentoring, watching them grow and watching them become successful. Ultimately, we want DeKalb County to be the best.