Timber Creek’s Martin, others set to sign letters of intent

Timber Creek's Jasmine Martin will finally make her next destination official on Thursday.

Among the top basketball players in South Jersey, Martin made an oral commitment in April to attend Division I Quinnipiac.

According to NCAA rules, high school athletes from mainly winter and spring sports were allowed to sign national letters of intents beginning Wednesday. Sports in which student-athletes sign letter of intents in February are football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross-country, and men's water polo.

"I'm looking forward to making it official," said Martin, a guard who averaged 22.1 points last season. "It will seal the deal."

It's one that lasted a long time after her commitment seven months ago to play for coach Tricia Fabbri, who knows her way around in recruiting South Jersey. Formerly Tricia Sacca, the head coach is a graduate of Delran and the sister of some well-known quarterbacks.

"I was so glad to commit early because it was such an overwhelming process," Martin said. "I had a nice summer and still played hard, but it was great not having the pressure of recruiting."

Martin realizes how fortunate she is to be earning a scholarship.

"It's really a blessing," she said. "I hear a lot of stories about people still paying off loans in college 20 years after they graduate."

Jessica Loizeaux of Clearview has waited even longer than Martin to make her college choice official. She made an oral commitment last November to accept a lacrosse scholarship from Virginia, and plans to sign Friday.

"It seems like it's been forever, and it will be exciting to sign," Loizeaux said.

One person who did sign Wednesday was Highland pitcher-first baseman Tyler Hinchliffe, who will attend Boston College. The signing took place at the school in front of friends and family.

"It was exciting to sign with my friends and family there," said Hinchliffe, who made an oral commitment in August. "It's a great feeling knowing that everything now is official."

Others throughout the area will have a similar feeling over the next few days.