“I told the team that this is the last go-round for Darren, so let’s make this a special season for him,’’ said Cabral, whose Mustangs responded with an 82-71 victory. Martinez played his trademark solid all-around game - nine points (in 18 minutes), two rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.

“Being the only senior and a captain and hearing those words gave me a great feeling. I felt honored,’’ said the 6-foot Martinez, who first played the sport at the Dorchester YMCA near his home, was the starting point guard as a senior at Brookline High, and transferred to Mount Ida in Newton after one season as a freshman walk-on at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

“Darren’s basketball skills and deci sion making on the court have improved every season,’’ said Cabral, whose team resumes play tomorrow in the two-day UMass-Boston Harbor Tournament. “It’s no surprise he was chosen captain unanimously by his teammates because he always shows up ready to play and he’s a self-motivator. He’s a pass-first, creative, unselfish player.’’

Named the team’s Most Improved Player as a sophomore and junior by Cabral, Martinez has started in 46 of the 50 games he’s played for the Mustangs, averaging 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per outing. He is fifth in program history with 192 career assists.

“I was nearly cut as a freshman at Brookline High but it was a good lesson in knowing that things don’t always come easily,’’ recalled Martinez, whose father, Darren Johnson, played varsity basketball at Braintree High. “As a high school junior I played behind two point guards, but my senior year I got my chance.’’

Brookline High basketball coach Mark Fiedor said Martinez was a bright spot on the team his senior year and adept at slashing to the basket. “He set a school record with 16 assists against Weymouth in a season when we went 7-13 and averaged only 39 points a game,’’ said Fiedor, “so that was a significant achievement. It doesn’t surprise me he’s doing well in college. He had the potential and I told him so.’’

At Brookline, Martinez played against Cabral’s son, Joe, who was a standout at Bay State Conference rival Walpole. They are now teammates at Mount Ida and the younger Cabral is a sophomore cocaptain.

Martinez has embraced his off-the-court roles as a campus tour guide for prospective students and as a member of Mt. Ida’s Learning Circle program, which helps new students transition to college life. His experience as a student-athlete has whetted Martinez’s appetite for pursuing a career as a high school coach and hopefully working his way up the coaching ladder.

“I always want to better myself, I’ve hit the weight room more lately and I don’t care about stats,’’ said Martinez, who has coached and refereed games at the Dorchester YMCA. “It’s more important that my teammates look up to me as a leader.’’

“Everyone loves seeing how happy the kids get and it’s been as much fun for us,’’ said Brandeis senior captain Seth Rogers.

The program was founded two years ago by Richard Spurling, a tennis professional, and his wife, Shafali Spurling Jeste, a pediatric neurologist.

“The Brandeis team has been invaluable,’’ said Spurling. “The children in the program look forward to seeing the players, they are forming a special friendship and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years.’’

Marvin Pave can be reached at marvin.pave@rcn.com.