For one year, brothers Hooper and Boston Stover get to play together as teammates on the
basketball court for Elk City High School. Hooper, a senior, and Boston, a freshman, are
adjusting to being on the same team and are enjoying the opportunity to build a deeper bond as
brothers.
There are pros and cons to having a younger brother become a teammate. Hooper is taking his
role as big brother in stride with a dose of humor. “The worst part is for sure having to not only
give him rides to practice but also all of his little friends since they can’t drive. I’ve been their
number-one Uber driver since day one,” laughs Hooper.
He may have had reservations about becoming the driver for his brother and friends, but Hooper
says seeing them grow and develop as players and as people has been the best part of this season.
“It took me a while to get used to him practicing with us because we had never been in the same
school building before until this year, but I love getting to compete and play with him this year
and seeing him grow,” says Hooper.
Boston’s love for basketball began early as he watched his older brother play. “Early in my
childhood I started playing in youth leagues, but the main thing was having my older brother
love the sport,” says Boston, “me, being the little brother, I wanted to be just like him.”
Hooper sets a good example for Boston to look up to. “Attitude controls the momentum of a
game or practice. When one teammate has a great or poor attitude, it spreads and influences their
teammates just as much. That’s why as a teammate I try my best to have a positive attitude,” says
Hooper.
He is a team player ready to fill whatever position coach Foale needs him to be in. Basketball has
taught Hooper that “failure is inevitable, and no one can play a perfect game. You can’t control
everything that occurs in the game and that is the same concept in life,” he says.
Hooper and Boston are both thankful to their parents, Holly and Shiloah. Boston credits them for
helping him through all aspects of life, be it sports, faith, or his education. Hooper says no matter
how tired and exhausted they are from their day his parents always take the time to make long
drives to watch him play.
The person who most inspires Hooper is his dad. “He treats people with kindness and patience.
Regardless of who they are or where they come from, he treats them all the same,” says Hooper.
Different teammates have made impressions on each brother. Hooper says Blake Redd made a
big impression on him. “Out of all the teammates I’ve had, I’ve never met anyone who played
basketball as hard as he did. No matter what the score was or how hurt he was, he always played
with 100% effort,” says Hooper.
Boston looks to his fellow freshman teammates. “If I had to pick my top three it’d be Parker
Felts, Gavin Bradshaw and Gus O’Hara. They’re all freshmen so anytime I’ve ever needed help
they’ve always been there for me,” said Boston.
Representing ECHS and the community of Elk City is a privilege for the Stover brothers.
Enjoying the sounds of a cheering crowd while displaying the sportsmanship of an ECHS Big
Elk is an honor. Hooper says hearing the crowd get rowdy reminds him why he is there.
