In the small town of Valliant, Tayler Trapp has been making a big impact on and off the basketball court.
As she reflects on her journey, she acknowledges Coach Nix as her favorite mentor: “Coach Nix has been my favorite coach to play under. He begins every practice with an encouraging speech that not only applies to basketball but that I personally carry with me through my entire day.”
Teammates play a crucial role in any athlete’s life, and for Tayler, her sister Ainsley stands out as a source of inspiration. “Her work ethic and time she dedicated to basketball is something I aspire to be like every day,” Tayler said.
Away from the court, Tayler found guidance in the form of her favorite teacher, Mrs. Wall: “She was very accepting and motivating when I became a Valliant Bulldog! She encouraged me to be involved and step out of my comfort zone to try new things. She has continued to show up and support Valliant as a whole, even after retiring from Valliant.”
The off-season for Tayler involved a different kind of running – cross country. She believes this additional conditioning will have a positive impact on her performance in the upcoming season, especially given the team’s smaller bench.
Basketball, for Tayler, extends beyond the court and into life: “In basketball, you really can’t control how tall or how talented you are compared to someone. But, you can control the attitude you have and the effort you give.”
Recalling her favorite memory, Tayler reminisces about making the state tournament as a freshman. “The feeling of making the state tournament my freshman year was a feeling that words don’t do justice,” she shared.
As Tayler looks forward to the current season, her focus is on the growth of the team: “Our team this year has a lot of young players; I hope to see this team grow and continue to build the program for the upcoming years.”
Looking beyond high school, Tayler has clear plans: “After high school, I plan to go to Southeastern Oklahoma State University to obtain a degree in elementary education.”
