Tiffany Martin Cleaves
Class of 2016
One of the most memorable performances in Alabama high school basketball history came on March 4, 1993, when Grissom High School’s Tiffany Martin delivered a dazzling effort in the Class 6A state tournament semifinals. Her performance that night helped cement a remarkable high school career that carried her to the collegiate level and into Huntsville sports history.
Facing Woodlawn at Jacksonville State University, Martin scored 36 of Grissom’s 51 points in a dramatic 51-46 victory. The dynamic senior point guard shot 12-of-19 from the field, hit both of her three-point attempts and added six free throws while collecting eight rebounds. The performance remains one of the most dominant individual efforts ever seen in the state tournament.
Grissom coach Phil Holladay later joked he was just glad Martin was on the court rather than attending the annual Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Ball that same weekend. The comment created confusion among reporters who assumed Martin would have to miss the prestigious social event because Grissom was playing the state championship game the following evening.
The Martin family had other plans.
After Grissom’s 48-42 loss to Carver-Montgomery in the championship game, Martin’s father hurried her to the car for a late-night drive back to Huntsville. She rushed home, changed into her formal dress and arrived at the Von Braun Center just before midnight—barely in time to complete the traditional debutante ceremony.
The whirlwind evening closed the final chapter of a remarkable prep career. Martin was a four-year starter at Grissom, a two-time All-State selection and the state’s Class 6A Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game. She was also an All-State soccer player and an accomplished YMCA swimmer.
Martin went on to Georgia Tech, where she became a four-year starter at point guard and graduated in 1997 as the program’s all-time assist leader.
Today she continues shaping young lives as a teacher at Monrovia Middle School while raising her son, Isaiah.
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