Student Athlete of the Week: Peyton Rhodes

While Peyton Rhodes would have liked to extend her high school career another game, the senior remains proud of what she and her Niwot High School girls basketball team accomplished this winter.

After falling to Aurora Central High School on Feb. 26 in the Cougars' first state tournament game since 2014, Rhodes reflected on her now-complete high school career. Niwot won only nine combined games in Rhodes' first two varsity seasons before breaking through with 10 senior victories.

"My first two years on varsity were a little rough, but this year we skyrocketed, and it was awesome," Rhodes said. "I love playing basketball."

Rhodes, a guard, credited Niwot's improved togetherness for fueling the Cougars' rise.

"We really grew as a team this year," Rhodes said. "We made it a point to grow as a team and to build that team chemistry. I think that was really important. It's what got us here."

Programs typically don't grow without strong leaders, and Rhodes has been exactly that for second-year head coach Todd Trobaugh. Whether she realized it or not, Rhodes played a major role in uniting the Cougars.

"She's been fantastic," Trobaugh said. "She's our senior leader of the year. Starting in May - I wouldn't say she accepted it - she grabbed the leadership role, and she hasn't let go of it. She's been tremendous."

On the court, Rhodes averaged 1.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game as a senior. Her best performance came in Niwot's season opener against Northglenn High School when she scored a career-high eight points and grabbed three rebounds.

However, as Trobaugh reiterated, Rhodes influences the Cougars in ways the stat book doesn't reflect.

"She's done everything we could have wanted her to do and more," Trobaugh said. "I'm beyond thrilled with what she's done off the court as a leader and on the court and in the locker room with the young kids. She's been everywhere. She's been a super leader, and I couldn't be more pleased with the way she stepped up."

Rhodes has also been a leader at NHS as a student council member. In December, she invited Niwot's student council and her basketball teammates to make blankets for those in need through Project Warm-Up of Northern Colorado.

"Being involved is my favorite thing," Rhodes said. "If I didn't have anything to do, I would be really sad. I always want to do things, and I think it's really important to step up and be a leader, no matter where you are."

Rhodes, who also plays soccer at Niwot, is still deciding on her college destination but would like to someday become a press secretary.

"I want to be in the public face and make an impact on the whole country," Rhodes shared.