by Levi Gilbert

Being a coach’s kid, Kyra Hargrove has spent a lot of her life in a basketball gym. 

“I grew up watching my dad coach basketball, and he has always inspired me to love the game as much as he does,” Kyra said. “This year, my senior year, will be the first year my dad will get to coach me. I have been around basketball my entire life. I also have two siblings who I grew up watching play the game. I spent a majority of my childhood sitting in the bleachers of gyms with my mom, watching my dad coach or my siblings play. Being in a family that was surrounded by basketball all the time motivated me to play.”

Hargrove, a senior guard for Perryville, was selected to this year’s 501 Basketball Team — 41 players representing the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the court. The team is sponsored by Conway Regional Health System, First Security Bank and Conway Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Center. The senior was nominated by her father and head coach, Dion Hargrove.

“Kyra was an all-state selection as a junior and two-time all-conference selection,” Dion wrote in his nomination. “She is quick off the dribble and shoots the basketball very well. Kyra works hard on and off the court — she has a 4.0 GPA.”

On her high school career, she’s shooting 41 percent from the 3-point line and 87 percent from the free throw line. In her final season, her focus is to be a source of positivity for her team both on and off the court. 

“My goals are to stay positive, always encourage my teammates and enjoy every game,” Kyra said. “I want to be remembered as someone who always plays hard. Playing hard covers up a multitude of mistakes.”

Kyra is a multi-sport athlete at Perryville. In addition to basketball, she also competes in volleyball. Off the court, Kyra is involved in Beta Club and Wildlife Club. In her free time, she likes to soak in some entertainment on the small or big screen. 

“When I’m not playing, I’m hanging out with my friends and family binge watching Netflix shows or going to the movies every weekend just for the popcorn,” Kyra said.

Kyra’s love of basketball runs deep. From summer team camps to playing in tournaments so simply enjoying those pre-game jam sessions in the locker room, all of the hardcourt experiences are important to her.

“Being a student-athlete can be tough managing academics and athletics,” Kyra said. “But you should enjoy every minute of it because when it’s over, you realize it was all worth it.”

Perryville returns to action playing host to Hector at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10.