When the question “Why not us?” is asked about Porters Chapel’s chances of advancing deep into the MAIS playoffs, the answer is clear.

PCA hasn’t advanced beyond the district tournament since 2008 and has won just 11 games in that span, one fewer than it has this season. The lack of recent success has made the Eagles an afterthought as they head into tonight’s District 5-A tournament opener against Russell Christian — and that’s fine by them.

“You ain’t doing nothing successful if you ain’t got people doubting you. I’m glad people doubt us,” PCA forward Kawayne Gaston said. “I think we can go all the way if we set our mind to it. It starts with your mind. If you think you can’t, you won’t. We’re trying to keep the word ‘can’t’ out of our vocabulary for the district tournament.”