by By Dan Ninham
Koby Missey, 18, graduated last year at Cement HS in OK. He was a multi-athlete athlete in the small school of Cement HS but became a star among his peers in the state of Oklahoma.
“I am Caddo, Comanche, and Assiniboine,” said Koby. “My Indian name is hulkshen meaning little boy/my boy.”
Koby was selected All State honorable mention, All Area All Star and received the Triple Crown Award with his baseball team. He was also a state qualifier for the 400m and 800m relay in track and was a member of the district championship team.
“My tribal values have helped to define me as an athlete and young man because they have taught me to respect my elders, teachers, and coaches,” said Koby.
“I plan on attending college to play baseball but at the time I’m undecided on where I will play,” said Koby. “My goals are to become successful in life and provide the best life for my kids and wife. I’m going to spend all summer long practicing and getting better at the game and become one of the best players I can be.”
Koby looks up to Jackie Robinson. He said: “He defied all odds against him to play one of the greatest games and eventually became one of the best that played in history of the sport.”
“Coach JJ Williams always knew how much potential I had,” said Koby. “He always pushed me so I can achieve everything I want whether it be in the classroom or on the field.”
Coach JJ Williams talked about the multi-athlete Koby: “He worked very hard, was respectful, and had a determined work ethic. As a player in baseball, track, and basketball he was one who didn’t take a day off. He accepted his role on the teams being the defensive stopper and guarding the best player on the court. He ran multiple events in track. He really excelled on the baseball diamond. He was Mr. Utility and did what was ever needed to help his team win. He was the offensive leader on the baseball team, letting his bat and quick base running lead the team in manufacturer runs every game. The kid never quit and always played hard to ensure the team had its chances for success.”
“The kid is just a warrior, not letting anything stop him from competing,” said Coach JJ. “Most memorable moment came in an elimination game in the district game versus Dover HS. He had just scored a run to help the Bulldogs add to their lead but hyperextended his left knee and had to be carried off the field. His team struggled for an inning and Dover HS was able to mount a comeback.”
“With his team clinging to a two run lead and all the momentum on the other side, Koby came up to me in tremendous pain and said he wanted back in the game and wasn’t going to let his senior year or his team lose because of his injury,” added Coach JJ.
“He came back into game and hit a lead-off triple on one leg and in tremendous pain caught three more innings to help his team win the game,” said Coach JJ. “He then came back the next day barely able to walk and pitched his team to victory in the championship game as well as make stellar defensive plays and go 3-3 on offense.”
“Gutsiest performance of any player I’ve coached or seen in 12 years. He carried his team on his back to help them clinch only the second district championship ever in school history and the first one in 33 years,” added Coach JJ.
Koby followed up this performance versus #1 Roff in the regionals going 2-2 with two doubles off one of the best pitchers in the state. He had just qualified for the state track meet on relay teams that morning of the regional baseball game, only a week from his knee injury.
“The character of Koby is unmatched by most and one of the best kids you could ever know or coach,” said Coach JJ. “It’s why he made it as a Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association (OBCA) Class B All Star as one of the top nine players in small school baseball and was also named to the OK Native American All State Team.”
“When asked to describe Koby in one sentence, Coach JJ said: “Koby is a young man who is respectful, unselfish, determined, and a young man that represents his family, tribe, school, and community with honor and proud to call him one of our own.”
Photo Credit: Cement HS Yearbook Staff
