Stuart Polk tries to model his game after the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Chicago’s Derrick Rose. But to better describe Polk’s role with Class 3A No. 6 Sequoyah, James Harden might be the more apt comparison.

“Pretty much,” Polk said in agreement. “You can put it that way.”

Much like the Oklahoma City shooting guard, Polk begins each game on the bench before logging a ton of minutes, including crucial court time down the stretch in each contest.

However, unlike Harden — whose 16.8 points per game pale in comparison to Kevin Durant’s 27.3 team-leading average — Polk is the Indians’ leading scorer. The 6-foot-2 senior is posting 8.5 points per game, narrowly edging out sophomore Caisen Green (8.2) for the team lead.

“We often sub him in for Caisen, just to keep that offense in our rotation,” Sequoyah coach Jay Herrin said of Polk. “Stu can give us a spark on offense, and we don’t drop off on defense, either.”

Early on this season, Polk started a handful of games while Herrin was trying to figure out who to play with whom in a rotation that often features 12 players. Eventually, Herrin decided that Ryan Helsley, Niko Hammer, Green, Sonny O’Field and Tanner Alley were better off in the starting five with Polk being the first player off the bench.

“Stu gives us what we need off the bench. He’s good off the dribble and attacks the rim,” Herrin said. “We found out through trial and error that him coming off the bench was best for us.”

Polk said the shift from the starting rotation to a reserve role was a smooth transition.

“It’s never really been a problem,” he said. “I’ve just been used to it from the beginning.”

Sitting and observing during the early portions of each game helps Polk anticipate what opponents are going to do when it’s time for him to check in.

“I just sit and see what the defense is doing,” said Polk, who is shooting 52 percent from the field on offense this year. “It’s a little bit of an advantage because I’m able to see what kind of offensive plays work against (opponents).”

On Friday night, Polk and his teammates will host 3A No. 4 Verdigris at The Place Where They Play. The two clubs have split in two games already this season with Sequoyah winning 59-53 in the Inola tournament and Verdigris logging a 57-50 win in the Port City Classic in Catoosa.

It will be the final time the two teams meet this season, unless they were to pair up in the 3A state tournament in Oklahoma City. The Indians and Cardinals will play in separate areas of the 3A playoff landscape with Verdigris in Area III and Sequoyah in Area IV.

Last season, it was Verdigris and Victory Christian — a team in Sequoyah’s area this season — that picked up the two state-tournament berths in Sequoyah’s area. It ended a 10-year run of the Indians making an appearance in the state tournament

The feeling of walking off the floor at the Burdick Center in Pryor with no state-tournament invitation is something that still sticks with Polk and the rest of his Sequoyah teammates.

“That was definitely a bitter feeling, man,” Polk said. “But we all got together and said this year we can hopefully go to state again.”

The loss to Victory Christian — which eliminated Sequoyah from the playoffs in the area tournament last season — is still a lingering notion in Polk’s mind.

“We still talk about it, just to keep it in our minds,” Polk said.

    

Q&A with Stuart Polk, Sequoyah guard



Stuart Polk, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, is leading Sequoyah with 8.5 points per game in a reserve role this season. Polk and the Indians are 15-6 this season and will host Verdigris on Friday night at The Place Where They Play.



What did it take for you all to beat 3A No. 2 Victory Christian by 21 points last week?

It just took a great team effort, everybody flying around and doing the right things.

You're a three-sport athlete in football and track, in addition to basketball. What events do you compete in during track season?

I think I'm doing the 4x100-meter relay and the 200-meter dash this year.

What's your favorite sport to play or watch?

I like watching college football.

You just signed a letter of intent to play football at NEO (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M), but who is your favorite college football team?

My favorite team is the Texas Longhorns because I'm from San Antonio. My backup favorite is probably Oklahoma State.

When did you move here from San Antonio?

It was when I was little around 5.

You still try and hold on to those Texas roots?

Yeah, we have family there, and we go visit them every summer.

What would it mean to you if you were able to leave NEO, and Texas wanted you to come play wide receiver?

I would go in a heart beat.

Are you much of a professional football fan?

Yeah, I'll watch it because it's football.

Do you have a favorite pro football or basketball team?

Dallas is my favorite football team.