by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Basketball season is beginning in full swing throughout the country. There’s a player who has high goals of not only going to the Idaho state tournament but to win the state title. His coaches and teammates are following his expectations.
Titus Yearout is from the Nez Perce tribe and he attends Lapwai HS in Idaho. He is a 6-2, sophomore point guard for the Wildcats and he also plays for a Select AAU team. His parents are Brittney and Abe Yearout, Lapwai, ID.
Titus is a co-captain of the team this season. As a freshman, he averaged 16 ppg, 4 rpg, and 3.5 apg. During the 3rd place game at last year’s state tournament he scored 36 points. He was named First Team All State.
“My tribal background and values define me into a strong leader with many talents not only on the court but in the classroom,” said Titus. “Many kids look up to me in the community.”
First year Lapwai HS head coach Zachary Lee Eastman said: “He is a gym rat. We go to the gym before and after school and weekends. He strives to get better everyday and his teammates see his work ethic and they join him. He is a natural leader on and off the court. College coaches at the next level are going to love having a kid like this in their program. Whatever task I give he accepts no questions asked and gets his jobs done. His team chose him as a captain this year and he is leading by example now.”
“Titus is a special young man,” said John Williamson, Lapwai HS assistant basketball coach. “As an athlete, he is as gifted as anyone who has ever walked onto a court or field of play for Lapwai High School. His character and compassion for his teammates elevate their skill level and he makes everyone around him want to play harder. I have never seen him look down on or verbally disparage his teammates who may not be as skilled as he is. His belief in his teammates make them believe in themselves, which is awesome to see as a coach.”
“Personally, I have known Titus his entire life. What he can do on a field of play pales in comparison to the impact he has on our community. He is a hunter and a gatherer who provides for elders in our community. While he may be a modest, quiet young man, his value system, belief in God and the manner in which he acknowledges and greets everyone with a smile speak volumes about who he is. He is just as comfortable shaking a hand or giving an elder a hug as he is with a basketball in his hands on the court. I have never seen Titus lose his composure on or off the field although I am sure that he is confident in his abilities, he would be the last person to tell anyone. Titus is as good of a young man as you will find in Indian Country and every coaches dream in what we want as a player to represent our community,” added Coach John.
“There have been many great athletes to come out of Lapwai,” said Tommy Miles-Williams, Lapwai HS assistant basketball coach. “But he is one of the first to use his talent to make his teammates improve as well. I honestly think he’s the type of kid to go scoreless in a game as long as his teammates played well and we got the win. He is a class act that never shows off his talent. Titus also comes from a proud and strong family that embraces the Nez Perce tribe and culture. Off the court every kid can talk to him and have a sense of belonging when they are around him. As a coach I couldn’t have asked for a better captain or role model to lead this team.”
“My older cousins Payton Sobotta and Kendall Leighton positively influence me,” said Titus. “They always set a good example by getting good grades in school and putting in work on the court and now both of them are off to college.”
“As an older cousin (brother) I’ve got to watch him grow over the years,” said Payton. “He is the most hardworking person you’ll find, and he is in the gym everyday working on his game. He would always work out with me, even though I’m three years older, everyday. He’d always want to play one-on-one with me to improve his game. I’d usually beat him when he was younger but as he’s got older he’s bested me several times (but not every time). He now carries the torch for Lapwai Basketball as only a sophomore. He’s a great ball player, excellent student, and an overall great person. I can’t wait to see what he is going to accomplish in the future.”
Other family members also are positive influences to the progress of Titus. Aunt Joyce McFarland shared: “Often I see Titus’s leadership displayed by having his actions speak louder than his words. He has a true love of basketball that motivates him to work on his game faithfully year-round, with no prompting from others. When he was in elementary school, I remember him shooting baskets on the small court at his grandparent’s house. He wondered aloud if others his age were practicing like him. Titus continues to put in countless hours to address priorities he identifies to improve his game, including strength and condition, free throw shooting, dribbling, passing, etc. He applies his work ethic to also being an honor roll student and traditional provider. Setting and completing goals has been one of the keys to his success so far. Overall, he has fantastic parents who want all their children to be well rounded in athletics, culture, education, etc., and have their priorities start with God and family.”
“Titus has amazing leadership qualities on and off of the basketball court,” said mom Brittney. “He’s the oldest of 7 children and is a great role model to his younger siblings. He is dedicated and works hard in all that he does, and quitting or giving up is not in is character. He has a natural gift and talent for the game of basketball making it look easy.”
Titus’s goals don’t end with bringing a state title to the town of Lapwai. “Another goal of mine is to play college basketball at the NCAA Division I level,” said Titus.
Photo provided by Titus Yearout
