Commentary by Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



Talent is one thing an athlete needs to succeed, but the correct attitude can go a long way also.

Since I’ve been covering high school sports, I’ve seen many a gifted athlete who had a bad attitude toward others that really cost the team a chance at reaching its full potential.

Some young athletes,when they became aware of their athletic skill, can begin to withdraw mentally from their team.

I think we’ve all seen some players, especially those who’ve had a lot of early success, start to develop a disruptive attitude.

A cocky athlete can do much to harm team unity. However, sometimes you see a gifted player, who has the perfect attitude for team sports. We’ve got a nice example in our area, in Mortimer Jordan junior Peyton Davis. Peyton is as gifted a volleyball and basketball player as you’ll find in high school today.

She could likely be the best player in both sports in our area this year. Yet, she doesn’t carry herself like she’s the end all of everything.

Peyton has one of the best team-first attitudes you’ll find.

When she’s not on the volleyball court, she’s screaming and yelling like a cheerleader for the reserves who have gotten into the game.

She yells encouragement all the while others are playing and she’s quick to praise her teammates for a good play.

She seems to be as happy for a teammate to record a kill or block as she is when she slams home a spike.

In this day and age of young athletes turning into egomanics before they ever leave high school, Peyton’s attitude is quite a breath of fresh air. It’s a mindset that actually gives a team a better chance to win.

Often, a less talented team that is unified and plays together can beat a more talented team that’s segmented by big egos.

That’s what makes Peyton’s outlook so good. With her personality, she’s not a unity-killer, she’s a team togetherness-builder.

Peyton can go a long way with the talent she’s got and by continuing to develop her many skills, but by learning at such a young age the importance of treating every teammate as an equal, she’s setting a pace that can take her many places.

Her talent will likely allow her to play at the DI level in either of her two sports, but it’s her attitude that marks Peyton for success at any level of play.