By Dimitrios Kontogiannis, Sports Editor
Ezra Stargell stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds, and plays for the varsity basketball team at Indian Trail High School & Academy.
He has to be really good to be that short and that light, and pretty much the star for the varsity team. Well he is, and is proving it on the court with his play not only in high school, but was in middle school.
At the end of eighth grade, he was asked by the coaches at Oak Hill Academy to move to Mouth Of Wilson, Va., and transfer to the school for basketball purposes.
So why is a boarding school in the middle of Virginia so special? NBA stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, and former National Basketball Association’s Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant transferred there for their senior year of high school. So it’s a pretty big deal that they’re asking Stargell to transfer there straight out of middle school.
How did he handle the news?
“I felt honored and blessed really, just knowing that I can actually make it somewhere, and just knowing people are watching me,” said Stargell.
Stargell surprised many when he chose IT over Oak Hill.
“I chose IT over Oak Hill because of a lot of family things going on, and also just wanting to put Kenosha on the map,” said Stargell.
The season has been pretty good for him, and the team thus far, even though the team is five games below .500.
“Ezra has the ability to be the best player to ever play at Indian Trail. Starting as a freshman is something that I did not think was possible, but Ezra has gone way beyond my expectations and the scary part is the best is yet to come.” said Indian Trail Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Al Anderson.
Though the team doesn’t have a winning record this season, Stargell is optimistic about the future.
“The season has gone pretty well so far for not only myself, but for the team. We are really young compared to other teams, so even though we are losing now, we will be better next year because our chemistry will be better,” said Stargell.
Anderson also acknowledges the team, as well as Stargell, has great potential.
“What makes Ezra so special on the court is his knowledge of the game at such a early age. He is lightning quick and so unselfish with his teammates. He is a great shooter and his court awareness is second to none.” said Anderson.
Stargell hopes to continue building on his already good season.
“I keep improving by just watching highlights of a lot of college players and pro players, even some high school players, and just try to pick up some of their games that I like, or just try to create my own type of game,” Stargell said.
Part of improving means getting better at defending guys bigger than him.
“Defending guys taller than me isn’t really that hard, but when they have like 40 pounds over you, you just have to keep being physical and basically let them know that I’m not just out here. I feel like I can compete with anybody,” he said.
“His only real weakness is his size and strength which he can improve in the off season weight lifting program,” said Anderson
For Ezra, he knows what the future will hold.
“I see basketball in my future, I want to play in the NBA,” Stargell said.
If he keeps playing like this, he might very well be.
