Peyton Evans, or “Pey-Pey” to her friends and teammates, makes the Central girls’ basketball team go-go.
The 5-foot-5 senior point guard, who earned second-team All-Seventh Region honors last season, is averaging 13 points and three assists per game for the Yellowjackets (12-7) who host Manual at 6 p.m. Friday.
The Courier-Journal: When did you start playing basketball?
Peyton Evans: I always had an interest in basketball since I was a little girl, but I started playing organized (ball) in fifth grade because in Chicago they didn’t let you play until you were in the fifth grade. I used to work out with my father (Ishmael Greathouse) up until then.
Did you pick the sport up from watching him?
It was kind of weird because I couldn’t sit and watch anything else, like I was bouncing off the walls as a kid, but if he put on an NBA game or a college basketball game, and he told me to come sit down, I would instantly just be glued to the TV.
What’s your role on the team this season?
My role is, this year, I’m the leader. I played with my cousin, Brenda Hackett (the last few seasons). My cousin, she was the leader for three of my years, but I sort of took over after her, after sitting there watching her as a leader.
What have been some of the highlights of your career at Central?
One of my biggest highlights was recent. We played Bullitt East (on Jan. 15) and I hit a halfcourt shot going into halftime. And there was one from my junior year. We were playing Ballard and I don’t know if this was the end of regulation, or if it was the end of the first overtime, but I hit the buzzer-beater to send us into an overtime.
What’s the goal for this season?
I want to make it farther in regionals than my team has ever made it since my other three years. I want to be the one to at least take us to the regional finals, so everyone can see what our program is truly about right now, (and) the great players we have on our team.
Central got beat in the district semifinals last year, how did that make you feel?
To me it was very much of a shock because I wanted to play at least two more games that season. It just felt weird having to hang my jersey up that early. It felt weird just not having practice the next day. It really hurt, honestly.
You want to play basketball in college, what schools have you spoke to so far?
I’ve talked to Transylvania, Tennessee State. I talked to South Alabama my junior year…EKU.
What will you study?
I want to be in sports medicine, like athletic training.
Why?
Because I never want to leave the world of athletics. If I can’t go on to play professional basketball, I want to at least still be involved in the world of athletics in some kind of way. It’s taken up a majority of my life, so I think it would be hard to let it go.
You grew up in Chicago before moving here when you were in the eighth grade, are the Bulls your favorite team?
I like the Bulls and the Warriors.
Who’s your favorite player?
My favorite player on the Bulls would be between Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. My favorite players on the Warriors would have to be Stephen Curry and Harrison Barnes. More Stephen Curry because I really like his game and his backstory as a point guard, coming out of Davidson College he was really doubted about his game, then making it in the NBA. He’s shocked the world the past two or three years.
So your dream job would be to be an athletic trainer for the Bulls?
Yes. Any professional team actually, it doesn’t even have to be the Bulls (but) it’d be nice if it was.
PEYTON EVANS UP CLOSE
School: Central
Year: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Student-athlete: Peyton, whose favorite subject is math, has a 3.1 GPA. She is in her fourth year as a starter for the basketball team.
Family: Peyton, 17, lives with her mother, Terri Evans. Her younger siblings – sister, Cai, 10; and brother, Gavin, 9 – live in Chicago along with her father, Ishmael Greathouse.
Central coach Ashley Franklin says: “Peyton, she’s a really wonderful girl on the floor, off the floor and in the classroom…She’s got the work ethic of a racehorse and she’s a beautiful leader.”