There’s an energy around Talihina basketball that feels like something big is building, and junior Cy Montgomery can sense he’s stepping into a moment he’s dreamed about. As he prepares for his first season in a Golden Tiger uniform, Cy says his mission is clear: “To have a standout year, make a deep run in the playoffs and have a good time with my teammates.”
The team’s atmosphere matches that ambition. Even though many players are still competing in football, Cy says the buzz around the locker room is impossible to miss. “Our off-season guys have been putting in the work, and the rest of the team are still in football play-offs and are pumped to make a run for a state championship. So right now, emotions are high and I know we will bring the same intensity to the court.”
What’s impressed him most early on is the group’s mentality. “This is my first year with the guys, so I am still getting to know everyone. But their work ethic is impressive and has shown me that we are just going to continue to get better each week.” That mindset ties directly to the strong expectations at Talihina. “The standards have always been high here… Each player has a job to do to help us reach our goals of winning our conference, making it to the finals of the Leflore County Tournament and we hope to be playing in ‘The Coliseum’ on Saturday in March.”
Experience will be one of Talihina’s biggest advantages. “Only losing one player from last year I would say our biggest strength is our maturity and all having the same mindset of success.”
On the floor, Cy plays both SF and PF, and he studies defenses with intention: “I look for the gaps in the defense and the mismatches me or my teammates might have so that we can score most efficiently.”
As for his legacy, Cy already knows exactly what he wants: “I want to be remembered as one of the great players that has played here… I want to bring Talihina another gold ball… When I walk in the gym, I want them to remember my name.”
