Another View
Peyton Starks in high school was a big-time scorer in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 1,000 career points. The 5-10 guard/forward, a Macalester junior, last month surpassed the 1,000 career points mark against St. Scholastica on January 20.
“I was hoping I would,” said Starks on the career milestone, “but the college game is just so different and the girls are bigger and faster and stronger in everything. I didn’t think it would happen this quickly.”
The MAC junior was a two-time all-district and all-Metro player at John Burroughs High School in St. Louis. She currently leads the MIAC in scoring (17.7 PPG) this season.
The afternoon she was formally honored with her scoring milestone, Starks registered a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) in a loss to visiting Saint Benedict. Last Saturday, Starks put up a season-high 27 points and a team-high six steals in a 67-60 home win over Saint Mary’s.
Starks, who is majoring in neuroscience with a concentration in community and global health, admitted, “I am still kind of going back and forth on the doctor route, but I’m really interested in doing public health stuff, maybe in policy or something. Trying to figure out a way to make people healthier and just give back,” she pointed out.
A high school assistant coach and a Macalester alum hipped Starks on the St. Paul school while she was doing her search for where to continue her education after graduation. “It’s a really good academic school,” Starks said of Macalester.
“There’s a lot of diversity. I’ve met people from all over the world I never would have met before, and I really like connecting with the girls on the team.”
Having the campus also located in the middle of a big city like her hometown St. Louis, an eight-hour drive by car to St. Paul, was a plus as well, continued Starks.
“It was really a great decision. I’m glad it worked out.” Starks is also a huge fan of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also is from St. Louis.
“I got to grow up and watch him play when I was younger,” recalled Starks. “I’ve just always been a big fan of his. One of my favorite basketball moments is when I was in eighth grade and I saw him at the state tournament.
“I waited for like an hour or two after the game to get a picture with him,” she continued. “He’s crafty, and even though he’s not the strongest guy out there, he has a lot of finesse. I love his game.”
Starks last season led the MIAC with 471 points and made all-MIAC and Academic all-district. She led the Scots in her freshman year in field goal percentage (.528).
“I feel like the biggest thing for me in my Macalester experience has been my teammates,” said Starks. “If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know if I would stick around. They’re just awesome people and I’m just grateful to have all of them by my side and cheering me on.”