Why Bailey Staton is a 'firecracker' for Polk County girls basketball. Just ask anyone.
COLUMBUS − Bailey Staton is averaging 19 points per game and is converting 3-point attempts at a 45% clip this season.
But the 5-foot-4 sophomore point guard for Polk County girls basketball doesn’t believe scoring or her 3-point shooting is her biggest strength. Her energy level is always on high.
“A basketball team will be nothing if you don’t have energy,” Staton said. “I feel 70% of the game is confidence and mindset in basketball. And when we have that energy, we’re a whole different basketball team.”
With the help of Staton’s energy on the court, Polk County is 9-7 this season.
Coach Brandy Alm said Staton has been that way ever since they met when Staton was in elementary school.
“She was a firecracker back then, too,” Alm said. “She was wide open back then.”
Junior power forward Kylie Lewis has known Staton since they were in third and second grade. Another vote for the energy Staton brings.
"She's always been very positive, and you can tell how much she cares about basketball," Lewis said. "There's always been that spark in her when she puts in the work and she wants her teammates to, too, so we can be successful."
Staton said she always tries to play with energy because it can be contagious to the team.
“I just noticed if I am hyping everyone up if I have that, it makes them better,” Staton said.
An example is whenever Polk County has a late practice. Staton will use that free time after school to improve her strength and conditioning. Alm said other teammates often join her.
Staton models her game from watching her favorite Duke basketball player and current Phoenix Suns guard, Grayson Allen.
One of her favorite memories of watching Allen was when he provided a critical spark off the bench as a freshman during the 2015 NCAA Tournament national championship. He scored 16 points as Duke went on to defeat Wisconsin 68-63 for the title.
“I just love how he’s so into the game,” Staton said. “You always see him hyping everyone up and just being a leader on the court. And that’s what I try to be every game.”
Lewis said Staton is making a significant impact on the team.
"When all of us have energy, you can really tell a difference in the way that we play and communicate," Lewis said.
Senior shooting guard Brianna Gray said Staton can be credited for new pregame rituals like slapping the top of the door before heading onto the court for warmups.
"We have our little pregame rituals that she started," Gray said. "We always sing a song before the game. We always hit the top of the door before we leave."
Alm said Staton’s personality follows her off the court and into the classroom, too.
She teaches Staton in two classes.
“She’ll have the entire class just laughing because she’ll just say some off-the-wall thing,” Alm said. “You never know what she’s gonna say. She’s fun to have in the classroom.”
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Staton also gets excited when she sees Lewis or her teammates in the hallway at school.
"I'll see her in the hallway, and she'll come run and jump on me, which is always funny to me," Lewis said. "It'll just put me in a good mood."
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Why Bailey Staton is a 'firecracker' for Polk County girls basketball
