Purcell’s Rylee Peoples
By Ivy Knapp
Purcell’s Rylee Peoples has been playing basketball since she was a little girl. She started playing in kindergarten after someone asked her to join, and she’s loved the game ever since. Now in high school, she loves her role as shooting guard. She likes this position because it allows her to do multiple things on the court. She enjoys creating opportunities, knocking down shots, and helping her team stay connected.
Rylee feels strongest in two areas: her teamwork and her shot. She’s grown confident in how she communicates, how she moves the ball, and how she supports her teammates. At the same time, she knows her shot is something she can rely on. Still, the biggest skill she’s working on this season is confidence.
“I’m working on my confidence,” she said, and she hopes this year gives her the chance to grow even more in that area.
Her coaches have played a huge role in her basketball journey. Over the years, they’ve taught her how to push through challenges and believe in herself, something she says hasn’t always come easy.
“My biggest challenge has been being able to believe in myself,” she said. But with each season, she’s learned how to handle all the highs and lows.
Rylee has built memories she’ll never forget. Her favorite ones come from just playing the sport she loves with her best friends. Before games, she prepares by listening to music and reading. These two things help her calm down and get in the right mindset.
Being a student-athlete means a lot to Rylee. She tries to get her schoolwork done whenever she can, even if that means finishing homework on the bus before games. Her favorite class this year has been Algebra II because she enjoys math.
Looking ahead, Rylee’s goals include continuing to build confidence and grow as a player. After graduation, she already has her path in mind. She wants to go to college and major in forensic psychology.
