Ella Ellis doesn’t stand far out in front of the rest of the Eisenhower boys basketball team.

Given his chance to build the Eagles program four years after winning a 4A state championship at Jones, a balance of five strong players instead of one star and four supporting actors is along the lines of what coach Jessie Shelton III is seeking.

But Friday night, Ellis found himself in the right place at the right time – just like all his teammates have at some point this season.

The 6-foot-6 senior made three of four free throws in the final minute at Stratford, then spearheaded the defensive effort that prevented the Spartans from getting off a would-be game-winning shot in a 63-62 victory. The win improved Eisenhower to 29-3 overall and 13-0 in District 19-5A.

For his efforts, Ellis is the Athlete’s Connection’s CollegeBallorBust.com Athlete of the Week.

Ellis also scored a team-high 14 points, his season average, Tuesday night in Eisenhower’s win at Spring Woods, which clinched the Eagles the 19-5A championship. But as a handful of his teammates have done throughout the season, Ellis downplayed his individual contributions. He spoke more of the team’s balance, which is brought to the fore most notably by five regulars scoring in double-figures.

“It’s been huge. Balance has been the big key to our offense,” Ellis said after Friday’s game. “It’s let us win games. If we have that balance at all times, we’re doing fine.”

Ellis’ improvement, not to mention that of several other players under Shelton’s tutelage, have coincided with a turnaround of the Eagles’ fortunes. They won 12 games in 2006-07, just four in district.

Eisenhower closes this regular season Tuesday night at Memorial and will open the postseason early next week against Lamar or Westbury.

Ellis has been the Eagles’ tallest player throughout Shelton’s tenure, but the biggest difference between last year and this, the coach said, is Ellis knowing how to use his body to his advantage.

“He’s finding himself more this year,” Shelton said. “My message to him was he’s the tallest kid in the program. He had to work around the basket and mix it up at the same time. That’s stuck with him. He’s willing to play around the basket (as well as) a little farther out and at the foul line extended.

“He’ll use his left hand and his right hand. He can play with both.”

Ellis hasn’t been offered a college scholarship, but Texas State and Wichita State among other schools have expressed interest.

“He’s still looking,” Shelton said. “One thing is for sure – he’s going to get into college academically. He’s an intelligent young man.”

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