Preslee Hartsock’s basketball journey began in the driveway with her mom, a former standout at Oklahoma State in the late ’90s. “She would take me to the gym or out in the driveway, and I loved the game,” Preslee shares. Though she started as a competitive soccer player, she got serious about basketball at the end of elementary school, setting the foundation for her athletic career.
Now a senior at Community Christian High School, Preslee serves as the point guard and leader for her team. “I know what Coach Thrailkill wants and try to help everyone else get there,” she says. “I take it personally for every one of my teammates to thrive, so I try to set them up for success. We have some great shooters, so creating for them and hitting the athletes running the floor is my focus.”
Team chemistry has been key to Community Christian’s success. “We had zero seniors last season and one the year before that,” Preslee explains. “This group of five seniors has been leading and playing together for a long time. We love each other like sisters and want to work hard for each other and win! Adding some great young kids to the team this year is making practice more competitive, and we have a lot of respect for each other.”
One of the proudest moments of her career came last season. “We made it to the State Tournament for the first time in school history!” Preslee says. As she looks ahead, she has her sights set on even greater achievements. “We want to win a gold ball!”
Preslee’s dedication extends beyond team practices. “Outside of practice, I have mornings or evenings designated to not only getting up shots but working on new skills,” she explains. “I’ve also gotten better at watching film to learn from my mistakes.”
Community support plays a big role in her motivation. “We have the BEST fans at Community Christian!” she says. “They truly love and support us like family, and we want to win for them. They make playing in front of them really fun.”
After high school, Preslee plans to play basketball in college and pursue a career in sports broadcasting. “I’m excited to see where I will land!” she says. Reflecting on her journey, Preslee is proud of “leaving a legacy” and helping people fall in love with girls’ basketball. “Enjoy every second of it,” she advises younger athletes. “It goes too fast.”
