In the last two years, Blake Ward Massey and basketball have been good to each other. Never having played organised basketball before, 16 year old Blake joined Armadale’s Ignite program operating on Saturday nights with young people aged 12 – 18. Starting with the in-house tournament, he quickly established himself as one of the best players there, racking up several team wins and earning certificates, prizes and team excursions to basketball events around Perth. After helping put together Ignite’s first Under 16’s squad, Blake led his team to a semi-final appearance in their first season, before capturing their first championship the next year. His talent caught the attention of scouts at the Perth Redbacks organisation who invited him to USA College Scholarship trials at the Perth Basketball centre. In addition, Blake qualified as both a coach and referee, emerging as a leader and role model for young men and women who attend his Ignite program. In a game usually dominated by giants, it is important to note that Blake Ward Massey stands just 132cm tall.
Diagnosed with the developmental condition Hypochondraplasia since birth, Blake has had to take all challenges head-on. “His size has never been an issue when it comes to achieving his goals”, says step-father and team coach, Anthony Kerr. “He has a huge heart and maturity with an incredible drive to succeed. Once he chose basketball, that was it. He was going to be one of the best, no matter what.”
Anthony has been a support to Blake in a variety of ways, not least on the basketball court where they have spent countless hours honing his skills.
“Whether it was shooting, defence, dribbling or passing, Blake has worked so hard to be an all-round player. People look at his height first but after they see him play, none of that matters.”
As a natural progression, Anthony joined the award winning Ignite program to help mentor and develop Armadale’s youth as strong, well rounded people as well as players.
The impact is something that hasn’t been lost on Armadale’s Mayor, Henry Zelones. “We are very lucky to have such great individuals helping our young people at a time and in a place where they are needed most. The dedication and effort both have shown has been invaluable to the City of Armadale and long may it continue.”
For the future, Blake will be continuing to develop as a coach and player, aiming towards WABL level competition and as far as he can go.
“There’s no limit to what you can achieve, if you work hard at it”, the man himself says. “I just want to do my best and that’s been pretty good to me so far.”
His story caught the attention of Channel 7’s Today Tonight program, and the segment can be viewed here: