Winning means more than numbers in the column for Sarcoxie’s Greyson Phelps. “My goals this season are to be above .500 with a district title,” he said. That individual mission also matches up with what his team wants. “Some might just be wanting to be better than the previous year.”

At a small school, team bonds run deep—and for Phelps, that’s what makes the experience special. “Team morale is amazing. In such a small school, we have played sports together since we were little,” he said. That chemistry shows up in how they approach competition. “Our biggest improvement so far that I’ve noticed is that we aren’t afraid of whoever we are going against.”

On the basketball court, Phelps brings size and skill. “I play the five,” he said. That means reading defenders and adjusting his attack. “I look for if the big man is dropped in the paint or if he is a perimeter defender.” His preparation is steady and consistent. “I take time on my own, shooting around in the gym and taking my time to get to my spot.”

Confidence fuels his play. “My mindset is that nobody can guard me and I’m the best player on the court. It’s like sort of a delusional confidence about myself,” Phelps admitted. That swagger is matched with toughness. “Our biggest strength is probably physicality and knowledge of the game.”

Phelps also values how seamlessly his team plays together. “We are all really close and sometimes we don’t even need to communicate verbally to know what’s going on.”

His favorite moments come not just from basketball, but across all sports. “My favorite memory in a Sarcoxie uniform is my freshman year when I got a chance to play varsity baseball with a coach that believed in me,” he said.

Music helps him lock in before competition. “My go-to song isn’t really a hype song, but it’s anything by Rod Wave. His calm tone gets my mind right before games.”

Looking ahead, Phelps is focused on the future. “I want to be known as a guy that doesn’t look the part but could play any position on the court,” he said. “My plans after high school are to study sports medicine and be a trainer.”