Looks tend to be deceiving in all aspects of life.
If one was to take a quick glance at Bellevue Christian Vikings senior basketball player Ken West, they may come to the conclusion that he spends the majority of his time on the basketball court in the low post due to his massive height (6-feet, 7-inches). West simply defies conventional thinking on the hardwood.
“I’m more of a perimeter player. I like to shoot the three (3-pointer). Obviously when I have a smaller dude on me, I can take him down to the paint. I like to shoot five or six 3-pointers per game,” West said.
Bellevue Christian Vikings boys basketball head coach Brandon Kats said West is averaging 19 points and seven rebounds per game thus far.
“He was the co-MVP of our league last year, and the last couple of games, he has been really good. In college, he will be playing the three (small forward) or the four (power forward). He is really good at driving from the perimeter,” Kats said.
The Vikings, who have nine seniors on the 2018-19 roster, are completely focused on making a run deep into the Class 1A state tournament in Yakima this March. Last season, the Vikings lost to Mount Baker, 62-57, in the first round of the state tourney.
“We talk about it all the time. We are not going to go run and hide from our expectations and goals,” Kats said of his team’s expectations this season. “This is what these guys want to do. We have the talent. We’re just focusing on peaking at the right time and doing the right things as opposed to the scoreboard. We are focused on getting better as basketball team.”
West believes his team has the makeup it needs in order to achieve its goals during the 2018-19 season. The Vikings currently have an overall record of 8-5.
“We kind of had a slow start to the year. I definitely think the South Whidbey game (52-50 loss on Jan. 5) was a turning point in the season for us. After that is where we really got it together,” West said. “I honestly think we can run the table. I think we’re on a great path to get back to the (state) tournament and make some noise this year.”
West relishes the role of being one of the leaders on and off the court for the Vikings.
“Being a leader is a lot easier when you’re tall. Everyone is kind of looking up to you. When you are walking around school, everybody has got their eyes on you. It is important for me to set a good example on and off the court,” West said.
Recently the Bellevue Reporter had an opportunity to ask West some questions about his life away from the basketball court.
Bellevue Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?
Ken West: “The Dark Knight” (Batman series). I love the whole thing.
BR: What is your biggest pet peeve?
KW: I hate when I’m late to something. Even if it’s one or two minutes, I would rather be early to everything.
BR: What kind of music are you listening to the most in your car right now?
KW: Rap music and hip-hop. I like (rappers) Travis Scott and Kodak Black right now.
BR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with who would it be?
KW: Lebron James. I love how he plays and how he operates on and off the court. He is super professional. I just love that about him.
BR: What is your dream vacation spot?
KW: San Diego. I love the weather. There is a lot to do down there. I’m going to go down there this spring break.
