Sam Penrod reporting
Several months ago, we introduced you to a standout high school baseball player who lost his right arm as a child. He helped his school win a state title in baseball and is now leading the basketball team in the playoffs.
The Wayne High School Badgers advanced to the State 1A semi-finals tonight. But this story isn't really as much about basketball, as it is about determination, setting goals and the idea of never giving up.
To see Porter Ellett warming up for a high school basketball game, he looks out of place and you would expect to see him sitting on the bench, instead of the starting for Wayne High School.
"It's kind of fun to see people's reactions when they doubt you and they see you walk out on the court and wonder why you are even playing; then you get to go out and prove what you are worth," Ellett said.
Porter lost his right arm in an accident when he was a young boy. While having only one arm to compete with is a disadvantage, Porter likes the challenge, scoring 16 of his team's 50 points, with steals, rebounds and a blocked shot. His coach, Kade Morrell, calls him a natural leader for the team.
"He's got a winning attitude and he's a prime example of how far attitude can take you. It's not what happens to you, but how you react and how you deal with it that matters in life," Morrell said.
While the spotlight is on Porter much more than his team, he is the first to credit his teammates for helping him win, both on and off the court. "My teammates, my friends, I wouldn't be anything, they are my support. When other people knock me down, they are always there. They've always been positive, always told me I could do anything," he said.
Wayne will be playing in the 1A semi-finals tomorrow night, and regardless of the outcome for Wayne High School, there is no doubt that Porter Ellett can feel like a champion.
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