What defines a winner? Is it based on success? Maybe it’s calculated by your stats or the number of wins you have.
Better yet, what defines a champion? Is it in fact how many championships you win? Is it even winning in general?
Here’s a question, can you be a champion if you have never won a championship?
The answer is quite simple and it does not require much insight. That answer is yes, you can.
See, a champion is not defined by your success, but it is defined by who you are. It’s much more than wins and stats, it’s leadership and hard work.
Winder-Barrow High School’s Kendall Isler is a champion, in more ways than one.
He is not a champion because he has led Winder to a basketball championship, but he is a champion because of who he is.
Isler is a rare breed, being a champion is in his blood, he is a champion by his very nature. On the court he is determined and hard working; off the court he is caring and humble.
The WBHS standout is, “Relentless on the court and very friendly with a big heart off the court,” says coach David Sokol.
Isler is coming to the end of his senior season as a part of the WBHS basketball team, he has played two years on the varsity squad and has had some memorable moments.
The senior is a true competitor, leaving everything he has on the court in every game.
“He wants to put his team on his back and win the game. He will do whatever it takes to enable the team to be successful,” said Sokol.
Just this past Saturday, Isler led the Bulldoggs to a victory over cross town rivals Apalachee when they defeated the Wildcats 65-52. WBHS was down 10 points at halftime before Isler took control of the game and seized the victory, finishing with 34 points.
But what exactly fuels the fire for Isler?
“Playing hard, feeding off the crowd, doing what I love which is playing basketball and having fun with it,” he said. said. “Playing with a passion since I have an opportunity to prove something.”
Isler takes great pride in competing at WBHS. He embodies what every coach looks for in a leader.
“To be honest, I want to be known as one of the best players who have ever played at Winder-Barrow,” he said. “I want to be remembered at Winder-Barrow.”
But it hasn’t always been an easy road for Isler. He has had trials and setbacks while playing basketball at WBHS.
“The most difficult time I had off the court was when my dad went to jail for about five months and my mom stayed in Alabama,” Kendall said, “It was like I was staying at home by myself.”
Definitely not something easy for a high school student to deal with.
A former teammate of Isler talked about his work ethic when describing how Kendall would walk from his home to the school for summer workouts.
“I’m not sure I can describe him with one word,” Sokol aid. “He embodies a lot of positive characteristics — hard-working, passionate and humble.
But his time at Winder-Barrow High School is nearing its conclusion as the senior prepares for graduation.
“First and foremost I will miss Kendall the person,” said his coach. “I enjoyed picking him up in the mornings for individual workouts and speaking with him on the ride to the school. He is a very bright and selfless person. I will miss his passion for the game and watching him will his team to victory.”
If you are looking for a true champion, than look no further than WBHS standout Kendall Isler.
