Prospect Spotlight: Kell Estep (2021 Sunset HS)
Kell Estep knew he would be counted on this year at Sunset. So with that said the all-around 6-foot-3, 165-pound combo guard spent the off-season working hard on his game, preparing himself for an added load this season. That work…
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Continue ReadingKell Estep knew he would be counted on this year at Sunset. So with that said the all-around 6-foot-3, 165-pound combo guard spent the off-season working hard on his game, preparing himself for an added load this season. That work seems to have paid off so far as Estep’s clutch play at the end helped the Apollos win their first game of the season, a 68-62 come-from-behind victory over Lincoln on Thursday night.
“Well you always want to start off the season with a winning record – you don’t want to lose your first game,” Estep said. “I just want to make winning plays down the stretch and help my team win.”
Estep came up big in the clutch for Sunset, who came from eight points down in the game’s final minutes. In all he scored 16 points in the second half, including hitting all eight of his foul shots to help secure the victory in the closing moments of the ball-game. In the first half when he wasn’t scoring, he helped create for his teammates with a few nice-looking passes for assists.
A lot of hard work was put in this summer to get ready for this year, one where Estep not only played some club ball with Hoop Salem’s 16U squad but also working out on his own. “I was working on getting my handle right, fixing my shot, just getting more of a jumper, shooting it at a higher release point,” Estep said. “Also getting stronger and faster so I can drive down the lane and be more of a player this year.”
Like older brother Jake Estep, who is currently at Corban after spending last year at Western Oregon, Kell Estep would like to play at the college level. Having learned from the recruiting experience his brother went through, he’s keeping all of his options open.
“My dad has been talking to some colleges so we’ll see,” Estep said. “I’ll just play wherever the coach wants me and likes my game.”
With the win, Estep is hopeful that Sunset will continue their ways as the season progresses. “We’ve just got to keep improving,” Estep said. “Offensively we can play with anybody, so it’s got to be defense and rebounding that will get us wins and help us have a good year. I just want to play as good as I can.”
Estep currently ranks as the #42 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.