FARMINGTON -- A typical play during Peyton Maxwell's senior season featured the point-guard nonchalantly dribbling the basketball up the court, but the moment he perceived an opening -- watch out.
Peyton scored a season-high 31 points against Siloam Springs and more than one opponent was caught off-guard by his approach to basketball, a characteristic maternal grandfather Michael Murray sees in Peyton handed down from his grandmother and mother.
"I think they are very calm until they need to be explosive, he even plays basketball that way," Murray said while attending Peyton's signing ceremony with a commitment to Hendrix College, of Conway, to play men's college basketball at Cardinal Arena Thursday, April 13, 2018.
"This is where life begins," Murray said. "I'm just very, very proud of him. I'm glad he has the opportunity to go forward."
Going forward is what Peyton did best. Thrust into the role of starting point-guard after playing back-up to high-scoring Matt Wilson, a Delta State signee, as a junior, Peyton became the catalyst of Farmington's offense. Peyton averaged 12 points and 4.5 rebounds-per-contest.
Peyton plans to major in business at Hendrix which recruited him as a shooting guard.
"They play really fast so they don't really have set positions," Peyton said. "They want you to be able to do it all, rebound and go."
According to Farmington boys basketball coach Beau Thompson, Peyton became one of the program's most-improved players between his freshmen and senior years.
"The kid had some big shoes to fill," Thompson said. "In a season that had some highs and lows he was a constant for us as a senior. One that we can depend on game in and game out."
Thompson said the Cardinals probably played Peyton out-of-position, admitting he is more suited to a shooting guard slash-to-the-basket type, a role his older sister, Haley Maxwell, filled for the Farmington girls during a stellar career.
Peyton and Haley played one-on-one constantly, honing each other's intensity -- until Peyton grew taller as a freshman and Haley couldn't beat him anymore.
"My mom says that was very much a pivotal moment of our relationship," Haley said. "I'm really excited for him."
The nation celebrated National Siblings Day on Tuesday, April 10, and Peyton says competition with Haley motivated him.
"I always try to do better than her, she was such a talented player and her teams always won," Peyton said. "I worked out and stuff. I just wanted to carry on the legacy."
Father Bill Maxwell said being in Farmington with the basketball program has been a great thing for both kids.
"I'm really proud of him for continuing to pursue this," Bill Maxwell said. "I'm really happy with the school he's going to."
Farmington athletic director Brad Blew recalled the community watching Peyton grow up and expressed appreciation for his parents' involvement.
"Heather and Billy Maxwell have done so much for our basketball program," Blew said. "They've been a big part of the booster club for a long time. It's nice to see good things happening for nice people."
Peyton's favorite move is the Euro-step. Miami Heat NBA star Dwyane Wade is his favorite player. A fond memory came on opening night of his senior year winning at rival Prairie Grove, 49-40, on Nov. 27. The Cardinals trailed early and led 32-31 after three quarters before asserting themselves in the fourth quarter.
"It was a really good feeling to beat them and carry on the streak," Peyton said, referring to a 5-game win streak in the rivalry since Feb. 22, 2014.
Sports on 04/25/2018