When sophomore guard Peyton Bays steps onto the court for Dale High School, she does it with a clear purpose in mind: “My personal goal is to do the best at my role to help my team be successful.” That focus has helped her grow into a reliable scoring option and a steady presence for one of Oklahoma’s strongest small-school programs. This season, Peyton has found her rhythm within a team built on standards and accountability. “We all push ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves and make sure we are all accountable for what mistakes we make on the court,” she said. That competitive environment is matched by balance across the roster. “I think we are all around good in areas that you need to be a successful team. We have a handful of shooters, we have good bigs and point guards that can handle the ball, and we have a handful of defensive players also.” Chasing a gold ball is always the expectation at Dale, and Peyton says their daily habits reflect that championship pursuit. “We are working our way to get the gold ball, and challenging ourselves every day in practice and bonding outside of practice has helped us on the court.” Offensively, she believes the team has a real edge. “Our strength is offense. We have a good post, Danika, and all of our guards can shoot lights out.” On the court, Peyton plays primarily at shooting guard, but she’s ready to help wherever needed. “I play shooting guard, but I can also handle the ball when needed.” Her game is built on awareness and preparation. “I try to read the area around me, and I have to know what my player lacks to keep them from scoring.” Her routine reflects the same level of discipline. “I always come up to the gym the night before preparing myself, making sure my shot is good, and get a good night’s rest and a good meal before the game.” That mindset has helped her average 10 points per game while shooting 32% from three this season. But even with the numbers, Peyton hopes her legacy is defined by character: “I want people to remember me not by how I can shoot the ball, but that I was a good teammate… and I always do what I can for my teammates on and off the court.” Her favorite memory so far is simple and sweet: “Definitely beating Latta after we lost last year.” And as for the future, Peyton is already dreaming big: “I plan to go to college to play basketball and earn a degree.”
