There’s a quiet shift that happens in an athlete when the game starts slowing down, when confidence begins to grow from the inside out. For McAlester junior Taylor Williams, this season is all about stepping into that growth. “To gain confidence,” she said simply, knowing that everything she hopes to accomplish starts with believing in herself.

That personal focus fits perfectly with the energy surrounding the Lady Buffs this year. “The team has stayed driven and overall upbeat,” Taylor shared, a reflection of a squad learning how to navigate the varsity level. Even with challenges, she’s proud of how far they’ve come. “The girls have improved at learning how to play at the high school level and even lifting each other up.”

With so many underclassmen on the roster, the goals this season are built around development. “With having such a young group, the goal this year is to learn and grow as a group. Each day we practice together and learn how to play the game and learn how to play together.” That youth is a strength as much as it is a process. “We are a very young group, which gives us a lot of time to develop.”

Taylor anchors the paint for McAlester. “I am a post,” she said, a role she studies closely. “As a post, I read how the defender likes to position and use that to my advantage. Whether that is scoring or taking baseline to hit one of my teammates on the 3-point line.”

Her preparation is intentional and effort driven. “In order to prepare myself physically for games I ensure to perform in practice as if it was a game.” And when she steps onto the court, she carries a mindset bigger than herself. “I remember that I am not only performing for myself, but I am also performing for the team.”

When it comes to her legacy at McAlester, Taylor wants to be remembered for her heart as much as her game. “I would want to be remembered as someone who worked hard for my team and as someone that people could always come to when needed.”

To fans, she says there’s so much more behind the scenes. “They don’t see the hard work and dedication we show at practice every day.”

Her favorite memory so far? “Scoring 14 points against Will Rogers.”

Taylor Williams competes in softball, basketball, and tennis. She plans “to receive my LPN at Kiamichi Technology School, and after that, attend OU for my RN.”