For Hugo’s Payton McClain, basketball is more than just athleticism—it’s a mental challenge that he’s determined to master. “My personal goals for this season are to get better at the mental game,” McClain said. “Because as our coach Darnell Shanklin says, ‘the mental game is where it all starts.’ This means to make the right passes at the right time, take the right shots when needed, and to be able to read every little obstacle that comes my way.”
McClain, who plays small forward for the Buffaloes, is confident in the energy surrounding this year’s squad. “I think our team morale has been great this year,” he said. “We are excited to play, and I think this is going to be a great year for us.” That excitement has been fueled by hard work in the offseason and an increased sense of unity among the players.
The Hugo boys have seen real progress as the season has gone on. “So far, I think the team’s biggest improvement has been being able to communicate and work as a team,” McClain said. “Our biggest strength this year is being able to play more as a team—working to get the best available shot and being communicative on defense.”
Their collective focus is locked on postseason success. “Some of our goals this year are to win districts and make it far in playoffs,” he said. “To prepare ourselves we’ve been in the weight room consistently and practicing hard every day.”
When it comes to breaking down a defense, McClain takes a cerebral approach. “When reading a defense, I first look to see if they are in a zone or a man-on-man defense, and then we can adjust the play call that will work best to beat their defense,” he said.
Preparation extends beyond just film and drills. “To prepare myself physically for games I am in the weight room as much as I can, getting many shots up in practice and outside of practice, and getting plenty of rest in between,” McClain said.
Looking ahead, McClain hopes to leave a lasting mark at Hugo. “When I graduate, I want to be known as a Christian, nice person, student-athlete, great friend, and a great basketball player.”
