Coach Rachel Crabaugh said Payton Burk is, “bound for greatness on and off the court.”
The head coach of the Lady Bulldogs recognizes qualities in the senior that translate on and beyond the court.
“She has been a true leader throughout this past summer and offseason for a team that has lost both of the leaders from last years team. Everything that Payton does is with a smile! She always motivates her teammates to try and achieve greatness,” coach Crabaugh said.
For the senior, being on the team and helping her team win games is special. Her love for the team and passion for the game is obvious when you watch her play.
“What I love most about my team at Memorial is that we are all super close, this is one of closest teams I’ve ever been a part of and it brings so much joy to the game of basketball,” said Burk. “What I love most about my teammates are all of our different personalities, there is never a dull moment on the court or off the court, they are such amazing people and I’m so glad I get to share these memories with them.”
She gets her inspiration from her father who played basketball at Frontier High School.
“Hearing his stories of winning state in the big house inspired me to push for the same goals and work hard to reach them. My Dad is always there for me and I can count on one hand the number of games he’s missed in the 11 years I have played,” Burk said.
His work ethic has inspired Burk to work hard and dedicate herself to the team.
“He is one of the hardest workers I have ever met whether it’s at his job or simply helping around the house. He inspires me to put 110% into every game I play and everything I do, and I will forever cherish the inspiration and time he has given me through all the years,” Burk said.
Suiting up with teammate Maddy Kirk as freshmen and going to the state tournament that year serves as a great memory in her career, and making state for three seasons in a row proves the hard work does pay off.
“The excitement and joy that brought the team was a feeling not everyone gets to experience in their life. I would also say the bus rides back when we won a game last year were always the best, we would have rap battles and singing competitions with each other,” Burk said.
