Originally Posted January 20, 2021

Rylan Cope is a senior at Woodward High School where he’s been a two-sport athlete for the Boomers since his freshman year. Cope competes on the Boomers’ baseball team in the spring and plays his favorite sport, basketball, during the winter. On the hardwood, Cope plays at either the point guard or shooting guard position where he’s started since his freshman year. And Cope proved to be a valuable starter early on, scoring 17 points in his first varsity game against Clinton. 

This season Cope is a significant part of leading the Boomers’ run-and-gun offense to their 5-1 start in 4A. The Boomers are looking to improve off their 16-10 finish from a season ago, as they have impressed early on by winning as host of the Woodward Compass Winter Class tournament. 

Cope has played basketball for 12 years, showing dedication and hard work for the game he loves ever since he first picked up a basketball. Cope learned a lot about the game growing up while watching his favorite basketball player, Kobe Bryant, who is the reason why Cope wears the number 24. 

“Kobe Bryant is my biggest influence and inspiration,” Cope said. “He made me love the game of basketball, and I strive to have his leadership, his mentality, and his standard of excellence.” 

Outside of athletics, Cope is a 4.0 Honors student, who is involved in National Honor Society, Key Club, Pep Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Superintendent’s Advisory Leadership Team.

Upon graduation, Cope plans to attend Oklahoma State University while majoring in either accounting or physical therapy. Cope made sure to thank his favorite teacher, Chelsea Cruse, for pushing him to be successful in the classroom. 

“She has inspired me to be confident and to think for myself,” Cope said. “She motivates her students and inspires them to be leaders, not followers.”

Photography by James Photographics