By Angela Brunk
Neodesha High School’s Ayva Gooch enters the upcoming season ready to embrace a larger role on and off the court. As a versatile small forward, Gooch brings a combination of athleticism, toughness, and quiet leadership that her teammates rely on. This year, she’s focused on building confidence and stepping into a stronger leadership position, goals that reflect her commitment to both personal and team growth.
Gooch has big aspirations for Neodesha, with the team setting its sights on becoming Tri-Valley League champions. With a roster low on experience, she’s eager to help guide the younger players. “I’m looking forward to playing with my teammates and making new bonds with the freshmen,” she said. “Experience is low on our team, so I’m excited to see how we adjust and improve.”
The offseason provided valuable preparation. Through weights and a summer tournament, the team was able to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. That foundation of hard work mirrors what Gooch is most proud of from last season, when a varsity rotation of just seven players still pushed Neodesha all the way to the state tournament. Their success highlighted the team’s grit, resilience, and chemistry.
Off the court, Gooch is equally ambitious. She plans to attend a university to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with dreams of working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Besides basketball, her involvement extends across activities such as volleyball, softball, and clubs, including Interact Club, FCA, FBLA, and Spanish National Honor Society.
With her drive, leadership, and passion for improvement, Ayva Gooch is poised to help lead Neodesha to another memorable season.
