The expression, "Go west young man," was popularized by newspaper editor Horace Greeley during the Manifest Destiny period of American history during the first half of the 19th century. The expression was meant to tell Americans to move west as the frontier had more benefits and opportunities than the developed cities along the east coast at the time. The expression is timeless as it also applies to the 2010 John F. Kennedy Cougars.
The Cougars had a subpar 11-16 season in the Metro League last year, which ended with a first round loss to Merced High. For the Cougars to have a breakout year, they will need to go West, as in guard Derrick West.
At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, West is a power player who has the physical strength to post up against the smaller guards. As a sophomore, he averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. West can bench press 190 pounds, squat 205 pounds, and has a vertical of 32 inches. He uses his in and out move to keep the defender off balance. He considers his style of play to be unique because he is versatile as he can shoot well from different spots on the floor, runs the floor well, attacks the basket as well as any player in the area, and is offensively talented.
This guard started playing basketball in fifth grade and has been a varsity starter since his freshman year. During the summer, he plays for his NorCal Pump N Run club team which he combines with his weight lifting and leg specific exercises.
West hopes that his efforts will allow him to average 20 points while his Kennedy High team makes a deep run in the playoffs. Kennedy High returns a very young team that went through some growing pains last year. In addition to West, the Cougars will be able to depend on junior guards, Mitchell Aaron and Jaylin McQuillon.
Despite only going into his junior year, Monterey Bay, Seattle Pacific, Sacramento State, University of Texas-Dallas, Colorado at Colorado Springs, Alabama Birmingham, and Montana Western have contacted West. He would like to stay close to home on the west coast but will not allow geography to be the ultimate decision. He wants to play for a program that runs a transition based basketball and has defense as a main focus. His best academic subject is history but West does not know what he wants to major in yet.
During his free time, West likes to spend it with family and friends. He considers himself fortunate as he has avoided the temptation of drug abuse as it is prevalent in his community. If all things go well both on and off the basketball court, expect West to make his journey into the NCAA in 2012.
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