By Olivia Jones
Newkirk junior Trenton Morton is the kind of multi-sport athlete who embodies the spirit of his community, grounded and driven to grow every single day. A standout in basketball, football, and track, Morton brings versatility to every team he represents. On the basketball court, he shines as a shooting guard; on the football field, he fills roles: wide receiver, defensive back, long snapper, and kicker; and on the track, he attacks the 800 meters with the same determination.
For Morton, motivation comes from within. “Challenging myself is what motivates me. I want to be better each day than I was yesterday.” That mindset was shaped early by the people who poured into him. Shelly and CV Blake showed him what unconditional love looks like. His Papa instilled in him the value of breaking down the game. And his parents continue to push him not to settle for the status quo.
Academically, one teacher stands out, middle school science teacher Mrs. Gaye Ann Grace, who showed him that learning can be fun and that having many interests can work together.
Success, Morton says, hasn’t come easily. It has taken “dedicated time and an incredible support system,” including the guidance of a long list of coaches, from his high school staff, Coach Derek Bishop, Coach Garrett Stone, and Coach Mike Kirtley, to his summer mentors Coach Jason Cain, Coach Omar Boone, and Coach Culley Porter.
One moment he’ll never forget: last season’s playoff win, where he dropped a career-high 40 points, including the go-ahead shot that lifted Newkirk to victory.
Rivalries fuel him too, especially the historic matchup with Blackwell, a game he always circles on the calendar. In practice, he loves going against Garner Wood, and he praises Logan Richards as the team’s most underappreciated grinder.
Morton is also active in FFA and balances everything through strict organization.
Representing Newkirk means honoring his roots. “This is a farming community built on hard work and dedication,” he says. “When I put on my jersey, I carry that with me.”
Whether listening to his hype playlist or watching his favorite player, Cade Cunningham, Morton keeps striving, committed to playing as long as the game will have him. If he wasn’t hooping, he’d be on the football field, or chasing bass on the water.
