“All for one, one for all, all for West”

“Quitting is not an option,” said senior captain Ricky Moore.  The boy’s basketball season has been a season filled with obstacles dealing with both a new coach and a young team. The players play with heart even in games that are not even close. The team has come together as a family and play well with each other. The seniors on the team keep everyone fighting throughout the game and make sure even though the team is losing they are all having fun in the games.

A big obstacle that has been hurdled is the hiring of a new coach Frank Smith from Northland. The athletic director went out and hired a coach that could change the team members from boys into young men and guide them through obstacles of life. For example, athletes get grade checks to get their grades up to standards and have most of the athletes on honor roll or at least give the effort to have excellent grades. Athletic Director Tammy Braskett said, “Hiring Frank Smith changed the team from just a basketball team into young men.” 

The basketball players received brand new team shoes and new uniforms provided by the athletic director and the Michael Redd Foundation. The team is really thankful for these gifts and is working hard to show both the fans and the teaching staff that they deserve the uniforms and shoes. With the team struggling with a devastating 0-13 season so far the players know that they have to work harder to get wins playing in the Columbus City League South Division.

It has been an unexpectedly difficult season on the seniors with the loses. All of the seniors will never say they want to quit but they will all play to the peak of their abilities to get their team passed the bumps in the road. “The seniors make the basketball team better by maturity and experience, the team will go as far as our seniors will lead us,” said senior captain Lamar Fultz. One of the obstacles the team had to overcome was “the inexperience of the basketball team and lack of chemistry due to all of underclassmen on the team,” said Lamar.

The season may be bad but “the season’s not over yet,” stated senior captain Ricky Moore. “We’re playing hard, won’t quit, and won’t give up on the team”. The seniors on the basketball team are the backbone of the team and hold it all together. This season may not be much but these seniors are working hard to show the younger players that it is a hard road ahead of them and to never give up in a game that is close or even getting blown out by 30 points. Coach Frank Smith is teaching the three seniors that they are the starting blocks for a great empire that he is trying to make at West High. Coach Smith hopes to have West as a power house with the help of the younger players he now has thanks to the help of his three seniors he has now. “All for one, one for all, all for West” a chant that all of the players from West chant after every practice and game.

Quinton Graham running back down the basketball court after scoring against Africentric High School.

Ricky Moore playing defense against Africentric.

Lamar Fultz bringing the ball up court. He made a mid-range shot in that possesion.

Ricky Moore going up for a contested layup. He made it, got fouled and made a three point play.