Photo by J Craig’s Photos
By Angela Brunk
Derby junior Maya Harris enters this season with a mindset rooted in growth, leadership, and faith, qualities that make her a key piece of the Derby Lady Panthers. Playing both point guard and shooting guard, Harris approaches each year with maturity, beginning by studying her own film to measure progress and identify new skills she can add to her game.
This season, her top priority is strengthening team chemistry through honest but kind communication. “Sometimes we confuse honesty with being rude, which is not true,” she said, adding how honesty with kindness builds respect, which leads to great chemistry, and ultimately a State Title. Harris is embracing change, determined for Derby to learn from last year’s setbacks and flip those losses into wins.
Her summer was filled with high-level competition and training. Guided by prayer, she played with Missouri Phenom (Wichita), competing at major events such as Run for Roses in Kentucky and Nike Nationals in Chicago. She also attended the Wichita State camp and trained with Coach Dibbs at S.H.R.E.D, Coach Collins, who is her personal basketball coach, and her dad, who pushes her especially hard on defense.
Harris takes pride in the energy and effort she brought last season, particularly her defensive impact during the 6A State Tournament, where Derby finished as runner-up. She embraces Kobe Bryant’s mindset: “I don’t lose. I either win or learn.”
Off the court, Harris lives a life full of purpose and creativity. She attends church weekly, leads youth classes, helps coach her young cousin’s basketball team, and takes art and piano classes, preparing now for Christmas recitals. Looking ahead, she is trusting God to guide her path. Grounded in Isaiah 55:8–9, she remains open to whatever purpose He sets before her, continuing to grow both academically and personally.
