Sports have been a part of Ella Porter’s life for many years. With that much experience, she knows what it takes to be at her best every time she steps up to play. 

“Most importantly, you have to have a love for the game you are playing,” she said. “Also having the desire to best your best, being easily coachable, and endless prepping. I have spent a lot of time preparing with practices, camps, 3T travel team since third grade. I also set long-term and short-term goals and make sure that I follow through with them. Things like getting 10,000 shots in this summer and not being satisfied with that so I got 20,00.” 

As a junior at Merritt High School, Porter competes in basketball, track, and powerlifting. As a student and an athlete, it is important that Ella find the best way for her to balance school work, athletics, and any other extracurricular activities she has going. 

“I am very much a perfectionist and stay super organized and on top of what I should be doing. It’s not difficult as long as I don’t let myself get behind.” 

Porter has had people in her life that have helped her along the way to become who she is and she says she would not be where she is without them. 

“My mom is the biggest influence on me,” she said. “She’s always here for me, guiding, supporting, and encouraging me in whatever I do. I have had several teachers that have and impacted my life; however, Taler Broadbent and Toni Richardson are super special to me.” 

She has enjoyed many outstanding moments during her years of playing sports. But there is one time that stands out in her mind as the highlight of her career. 

“We were behind by a point at the 2022 area championship game against Riverside,” she recalled. “I drove in and made a shot in the last seven seconds and that sealed our ticket to the big house for the state tournament. And then playing in the quarterfinals state game lit a fire in me. I want the gold ball.”