01 Mar 2026 Ella Tolley – Perryville (501 Basketball Team 2026)

Ella Tolley still remembers the roar of the crowd when Perryville clinched its first Class 3A state tournament berth in a decade. That moment set a new standard for the Lady Mustangs this season.

“We’re no longer satisfied with simply making the tournament again,” she said. “We’re looking to go even further this year.”

Two games into the season, she suffered an injury that forced her to the sideline. While the setback hasn’t been easy, it hasn’t shaken her commitment to her team. 

“Not being out there with my team has been hard, but I have been given so much joy in relying on God,” Tolley said. “Knowing that everything is in His hands and His plan has given me so much peace.” 

Head Coach Wesley Kuhn sees the same determination in her recovery that she brings to the court. “Ella is an incredible young lady who loves basketball,” he said. “A leader by example, you cannot outwork her, and she’ll never ask someone to do something that she isn’t willing to do herself.”

Even while sidelined, Tolley continues to impact Perryville’s program. She supports younger players, stays engaged in practice and brings the same energy to the classroom, where she recently scored a 33 on the ACT. 

“I want to be remembered as one of the hardest-working people to ever come through Perryville,” she said. “Most importantly, I want to be remembered as a Christian athlete who plays for God’s glory and not my own.”