The often-invoked phrase, “Once a Pirate, always a Pirate” took center stage during Tuesday’s Pirate Hall of Fame ceremony — regardless of attendance.
Both of the inductees on hand to accept the answer plus prepared remarks from the other made sure to include those six simple words. The latest class included volleyball standout Molley (Scanlon) Burns, state champion golfer Barrett Martens and longtime teacher and student council advisor Gena Puckett.
A 2010 graduate, Burns started three seasons at setter for Platte County ended her career as the program’s all-time leader in assists with the top two individual seasons — 703 in 2008 and 568 in 2007. Those numbers held until the state up well until the Missouri State High School Activities Association switched match formats to best-of-five instead of best-of-three. She made the Class 3 Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state teams in 2008 and 2009, second team as a junior and honorable mention as a senior.
Burns became just the second all-state player in program history at the time and the first since Carrie Hicklin in 1997. The 2008 season included a trip to the Class 3 playoffs.
After high school, Burns signed with Cowley County (Kansas Community College) and led the Tigers to a 72-6 record over the next two years. This included back-to-back Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division titles, going unbeaten in her sophomore year, and the program’s first-ever NJCAA Division II national title in 2011.
Notably, Burns was named the MVP of the 2011 NJCAA tournament, becoming the first setter to earn the honor. She was also an honorable mention All-American and still ranks sixth all-time for career assists at Cowley.
Burns went on to play one season at Grandview University in Iowa before finishing her degree at Wichita State University. She has since spent time as a volleyball coach at the high school and club level.
Giving back to the next generation, Burns recognized the unique opportunity she had to receive an introduction to the game at such a young age while attending practices as a kid with former Platte County assistant Kathleen Scanlon before growing into one of the best players in the program’s history.
“I’m truly appreciative of this recognition,” Burns said. “Everyone knows this induction does not happen alone. It takes a very special group of people in your life to hold you accountable and keep you on track and be your role model. Not only were the people in my life all those things, but they taught me volleyball can provide valuable lessons throughout the year.”
A 2002 graduate, Martens remains the only state champion golfer in Platte County’s program history and one of only two to achieve all-state status, having finished in the top 15 each of his final three seasons. He shot a 145 as a junior and claimed the 2001 Class 3A MSHSAA Golf Championships individual title while leading the Pirates to their only team state trophy with a fourth-place finish on a roster that also included Robbie Campbell, Jeremy Glasbrennar, Ryan Schroeder and Spencer Comfort.
After the historic 2001 season, Martens made the Kansas City Star All-Metro team and earn the St. Joseph News-Press golfer of the year honor. He went on to sign with University of Kansas, and after redshirting in 2002-2003, played four seasons for the Jayhawks. He carried a stroke average of 76.54 and posted a career-best three-round total of 214 in the 2005 Kansas Invitational, which included a personal best individual finish of 11th, and low round total of 68 in the 2004 Kansas Invitational.
Martens, who now lives in California, went on to become a PGA Professional at multiple clubs and continues to work in the golf industry while maintaining a profile as an accomplished amateur player. Due to work conflicts, he was unable to attend but younger brother and fellow Platte County graduate Reed Martens delivered his message to the crowd.
In prepared remarks, Barrett Martens thanked former Platte County teacher and inaugural boys golf team coach Christina O’Brien, who recently passed away, and longtime coach and athletic director Phil Dorman for making his high school career possible. He credited O’Brien for laying the program’s foundation and Dorman for setting the championship pedigree still evident in the Pirates’ continued success over nearly three decades.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be inducted into the Platte County hall of fame along with Molly Burns and Mrs. Puckett. Thank you to the committee for the induction,” Reed Martens read aloud on Barrett’s behalf.
Puckett came to Platte County High School in 1997 as a math teacher. She spent more than two decades serving as a student council advisor and played an integral role in many district and community activities, including a re-envisioning and expansion of the annual homecoming parade.
In 2016, Puckett earned the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) Advisor of the Year for the Northwest District, as voted on by her peers. She also helped organize the hosting of the MASC’s annual state convention at Platte County that same year with more than 1,000 students and 200 advisors to the district’s facilities.
“When I found out I was going to have to give a speech, I was kind of like, ‘Do these people remember I taught math?” Puckett joked. “We didn’t work with words, and we definitely did work on feelings. That’s for the English department.
“My goal tonight was to not cry or cuss, so I’m really trying hard,” she continued before concluding, “Thanks, and I made it!”
