Hard Work Pays Off
From the day he was born, Peyton Pratt has had a ball in his hand. Growing up in Sperry, Oklahoma, Pratt was always outside playing sports with his friends. It may surprise some people now, but his first love was…
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Continue ReadingFrom the day he was born, Peyton Pratt has had a ball in his hand. Growing up in Sperry, Oklahoma, Pratt was always outside playing sports with his friends. It may surprise some people now, but his first love was not basketball, it was baseball.
Pratt started playing sports as a six-year old in Sperry. He played basketball and baseball year around rotating with the seasons. From forth grade through seventh grade, Pratt played football. Thinking back Pratt always thought he would be a baseball player.
“Baseball came easy to me when I was young,” Pratt said. “When I was ten years old we went to the CABA World Series in Puerto Rico. It was a really fun trip; we ended up taking third place.”
In high school, Pratt started to notice he was pretty good on the basketball court as well. By his sophomore year, Pratt knew basketball was his path to the next level.
“Sophomore year, I knew basketball would end up being my sport in college,” Pratt said. “I made it my focus throughout the rest of my high school career, but still continued to play baseball every spring.”
Pratt led Sperry in scoring throughout his high school career, finishing second in points overall. Teammates enjoyed their time with Pratt growing up in Sperry.
“He was the leader of our team,” Braden Neece said. “It was like having a coach on the court. Off the floor Peyton was a great friend, always there if you needed anything, and well liked with everyone.”
Pratt led Sperry to the Class 3A state basketball tournament every year of his high school career. Yet, each time Sperry lost in the first round of the state tournament. Looking back on Pratts accomplishment, he received many accolades.
“Statistically speaking, it puts me in elite company in Oklahoma high school basketball,” Pratt said. “It means a lot for the school and my family I played for night in and night out.”
There have been less than 30 players in the history of Oklahoma high school basketball to make the state tournament all four years of their high school.
Pratt wrapped up his high school career and signed a letter of intent to Northeastern State to be a preferred walk-on.
“I knew it was going to be tough and I was going to be worked like I had never been before,” Pratt said. “I had no expectations to see the floor.”
Over the first few months of training camp Pratt was tested. Northeastern State Basketball program has a rigorous workout program. Pratt brought the great work ethic he learned at Sperry with him to Northeastern State.
“Peyton did everything I ask of him and the team,” Northeastern State Head Coach Jason Tinsley said. “There is always a transition from high school to college with the effort you have to play with to compete, but he has made the adjustment well.”
Training camp was not easy, but Pratt made it through and on to the preseason. It was in the preseason that he stepped up and started to turn heads. Pratt made a great showing, shooting the basketball at a high level for the RiverHawks.
Northeastern State opened the season with the MIAA-GAC Challenge on Friday November 14, 2015. Pratt scored just three points and shot an uncharacteristic 1-8 from the floor in his first college game.
In the second game of the MIAA-GAC on Saturday against Northwestern Oklahoma State Pratt got back to his great shooting ways scoring 12 points on 60% shooting from the hardwood. The game against Northwestern Oklahoma State was the turning point for Pratt.
Pratt found himself in the starting line up not to long after the game against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Coach Tinsley liked the way Peyton shot the ball from behind the arc.
“Peyton gives us a guy that can make three-pointers,” Tinsley said. “He is a good shooter that doesn’t need much space. He is a good complement to what Trey does driving and kicking to shooters.”
Pratt gained the trust of the Northeastern State coaching staff with his great work ethic from the moment he stepped on campus. The ability of Pratt to shoot the ball well and his high basketball IQ led to his playing time increasing as the season continued.
At Christmas break, Coach Tinsley and the Northeastern State coaching staff awarded Pratt with a scholarship for his contributions to the RiverHawks. Pratt went from a preferred walk-on that didn’t expect any playing time to a starter and a scholarship player.
“It felt like a blessing,” Pratt said. “All of the hard work I have put in has paid off.”
High School players can look to Pratt’s success at Northeastern State and see that hard work does pay off. Coach Tinsley was elated to award Peyton with a scholarship.
“When we recruited Peyton, I told him that we didn’t have much scholarship money to work with at the time,” Tinsley said. “However, I told him if he decided to come to NSU and if he worked hard that I would reward him when money was available. He has done everything ask of him on and off the floor so giving him a scholarship money was an easy decision.”
At Northeastern State, Pratt has had success on and off the floor. Teammates, coaches, and peers speak highly of Pratt’s character.
“Peyton is a great kid,” Tinsley said. “He is very respectful and coachable. He has a strong faith in God and is a great example for others. His mom and dad have done an outstanding job raising him.”
Nearly a year ago, Pratt took a chance and decided to come to Northeastern State as a preferred walk-on. One year later Pratt has taken an opportunity and made the most of it.
“Looking back on it, I wouldn’t change anything,” Pratt said. “Coming to Northeastern State was the right fit for me.”
For more information email Matt@prephoopsoklahoma.com