The Fort Vancouver boys basketball team is off to a fast start.
Fitting, because the Trapers start five guards.
Miracle Alford-Lewis, Johnny Green, James Husband Jr., Kyron Lowe-Ash, and Jameel Morton have created a buzz at Fort.
“My five best guys just happen to be guards,” Fort Vancouver coach James Ensley said.
“We’ve got a really neat group of kids. They’re fun to be around, and they want to do the right things,” the coach said. “And they have a little bit of a chip on their shoulders.”
True. Fort Vancouver is not known for its success in athletics. In traditional team sports, boys basketball is the best program in the school, but the players still feel like they have to prove something.
“They want to show the gyms, the places we go, we’re competitive,” Ensley said. “We’re not the underdog. We’re not less than.”
Alford-Lewis has made significant changes in his life to be where he is today, as a team captain.
Johnny Green moved to Fort Vancouver from Texas. Ensley said he is thrilled with how Green has adapted to the program.
Husband Jr. was second team all league as a freshman. He runs the offense.
Lowe-Ash is the only three-year starter and is a “total program guy,” according to Ensley.
Morton, who moved to Fort from Columbia River, “is one of the best defenders I’ve seen at the high school level,” the coach said.
Ensley said the goal is to make a playoff push, to make Fort proud.
“Our kids are so hungry for success,” he said.
