Martin Carper, a senior, was a four-year, returning tennis player for the Effingham County High School boys’ team this season. Martin has been the team’s #1 seeded player the past two seasons and was team captain this year. After six matches, Carper and his Rebel teammates had to put the 2020 season to a halt, because the Georgia High School Association cancelled the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. This must have been tough for Martin as he started playing tennis in sixth grade because one of his friends suggested it. Carper has been on the tennis court ever since. Besides high school tennis, he also plays on a travel tennis team.
Martin was a member of the the Effingham County High School boy's tennis team that never missed the Georgia High School tennis state playoffs. The Rebel boys' tennis team made the GHSA Class 6A Sweet Sixteen during his freshmen season and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances his sophomore and junior seasons. With the Effingham Stars, he was on the USTTA JTT 2017 South Carolina championship team and this past season the Stars team made a run to the USTA JTT sectionals in Rome Georgia. Carper also was an honorable mention for Savannah Morning News All-Greater Savannah Boy’s Tennis Team as a junior.
Carper’s most influential person on his career is the coordinator of the Effingham Stars, Robert Brown. Coach Brown is the coordinator of the Effingham Stars, which is a local United States Tennis Association Junior Tennis Team (USTA JTT) that plays in Georgia and South Carolina on the USTA JTT circuit. Martin said, “Coach Brown pushed me to understand the game and love the sport more through encouragement and coaching.”
Martin off the court, was the leader of the Effingham County High School Rebel Marching band as the Drum Major. Carper also belongs to the Effingham County High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the classroom Carper carries a heavy course load, a 3.8 gpa and has taken many Advanced Placement classes. Martin has taken AP Government, AP Chemistry, AP Language, AP US History and AP Psychology.
As you can see Martin is a successful student athlete. Carper has a powerful belief in God that has driven him to do his best. Martin said, “The reason I am successful is my flesh is weak, but my God is Strong.” This has driven him to be the best he can be on and off the tennis court. Martin plans to attend the University of West Georgia.
