“Everybody can shoot in their own way. Not everybody can make it. But everybody can shoot.”

Shooting the ball is a part of the game of basketball and to paraphrase the words of NBA All-Pro great Steph Curry, not only does Wagoner’s Ellee Bryant work hard to take her shot but also to make it.

“Shooting is definitely my strength. That’s why I spend so many hours in the gym working to improve my shooting touch,” said the Wagoner junior, whose passion for basketball is 24-7-365.

The 5-foot-7 guard started playing basketball in the first grade while spending time with her dad, Travis, who is an assistant coach with the Wagoner girls’ team.

“Basketball is a family thing,” Bryant said. “My older sister, Joci, who is my best friend is on the team, and dad is on the bench, and my mom (Mandy) sits quietly in the stands and observes. At home, we’re watching film looking for ways to get better.”

Wagoner head coach Randi Pawpa has high praise for Ellee, who consistently delivers double-digit scoring.

“As a coach’s kid, she embraces the performance expectations and thrives off it,” Pawpa said. “She’s a knockdown 3-point shooter and an excellent defender, who most nights is guarding someone who is bigger than her.”

In addition to her efforts on the basketball court, Bryant maintains a 4.0 grade point average and enjoys the opportunity to help others find success through her participation in Student Council and leadership classes at Wagoner.

“I hope that others will see me as a person that is respectful, hard-working and someone that has grit,” Bryant said when asked to define her approach to life on and off the basketball court. “Most importantly I strive to be as hard working and respectful as I can. I wouldn’t want others to see me as anything else.”

Bryant hopes to include college basketball in her future career, but she admits that one of her favorite free-time moments could be a reflection of life after basketball.

“I enjoy watching Netflix and especially Grey’s Anatomy,” she said. “Who knows, but maybe my career will be doing something in the medical field.”

And while her first love is time in the gym shooting the basketball, Ellee Bryant can find time for a shopping spree with her mom and sister.

“They both love to shop. I’ll go when I know that I’m going to get something,” she said. “Otherwise I’ll go to the gym and shoot.”

And if the Wagoner Lady Bulldogs dreams come true, perhaps there’s a need to go shopping for clothes to wear while playing at the state tournament.

Photo courtesy John Toles Media