Blanchard’s Emory Smalley
By Elizabeth Contreras
Emory Smalley has played basketball since he was three, driven by his competitive nature to be better than his dad. With years of youth leagues and AAU programs under his belt, Smalley is now a key player for Blanchard High School.
In basketball, Smalley views himself as more than just a scorer. He describes himself as a person who brings consistency and cohesion in group efforts. Most of his time in the Blanchard program was spent as a point guard, but that shifted last year when coach Jeff Word encouraged him to focus on scoring. Smalley responded by dedicating hours to refining his shot, expanding his versatility as a player.
Regardless of position or role on the court, Smalley values the energy and buy-in from his entire team.
“I like to watch our games back and see the big moments, see everyone on our bench including our managers, stand up and cheer. That’s leadership at every level,” he says.
He leads with mindfulness, anchoring himself in the present. By pouring his energy into each moment, he stays centered, sharp, and fully engaged.
“I put my energy into what I am doing in the now. During class, I’m not stressing about practice or the previous game. When I step on the court, I forget about an upcoming test until I step back off,” he shared.
As a leader, Smalley is guided by the bigger picture, demonstrating his values by leading with actions rather than words.
“I could have a great scoring night, but it means nothing if our team has lower energy because I didn’t lead by example,” Smalley said. His servant-leader mentality means he prioritizes collective success over individual glory and understands the ripple effect of his own behavior. If he brings the energy, others will too.
His current focus is elevating his team to its highest potential, chasing another state-tournament run, an experience from his sophomore year that still inspires him today. After high school he plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and serve in the National Guard, continuing to demonstrate the same servant‑leader mindset, choosing a path built on discipline, purpose, and putting others before himself.
