While some athletes enjoy participating in multiple sports throughout their high school careers, Aberdeen Roncalli senior Maddox Miller has been focusing on one sport in particular.

“Just been grinding out basketball for my last four years,” Miller said.

Miller says what he enjoys the most about the sport of basketball is its competitive appeal.

“I just find the game itself just really fun in general, and I don’t really find (that) in other sports,” Miller said. “I like just the competitiveness of my teammates and playing against other kids.”

Throughout his high school career, Miller has seen himself grow in many ways, including being able to understand the game in a deeper way, as well as growing into a leadership role by watching his former teammates.

“It helped watching the seniors when I was a freshman,” Miller said. “Getting into this role was not easy, but it’s something, if you’re asked to do and you’re willing to do, I think it’s a great opportunity to lead your team.”

Miller’s leadership abilities also caught the attention of Roncalli boys’ basketball coach Dan Gallagher, who was impressed with Miller’s desire to want to guide the team.

“One thing that he’s really impressed me with over the last two years is his ability to step up and be a leader,” Gallagher said. “Two years ago, I don’t know if we really had that so-called leader that every team usually tries to have, and as a junior he recognized that there was a void in that, so he really stepped into that role, especially with Keegan (Stewart) being out last season. From there he just took leaps and bounds forward.”

Gallagher said he was impressed most by Miller’s ability to not only get himself in the gym, but to encourage his teammates to do the same. Miller said that drive came from a desire to set the foundation for the Roncalli boys’ basketball program for years to come.

“I really want to win as a team,” Miller said. “I want to change the Roncalli program from here on for years in the future, and I think in order to do that you need to build the work ethic of your team right now, and then the younger generations will follow.”

Miller said that in order for the Cavaliers to make a run at a state tournament appearance, it is going to take continued growth and work as a team to get to where they want to be when the postseason begins.

“Being more and more successful as we go and growing as a team, so when it does come time for playoffs, we’re ready and we’re able to compete,” Miller said.

While he is still focused on the rest of his senior season of high school basketball, Miller is hoping to play basketball at the college level next fall. He is considering attending South Dakota State or Northern State and is also interested in pursuing an exercise science degree, getting into medical school, and working as a plastic surgeon. But no matter what the future holds for Miller, he has loved every part of being a Roncalli Cavalier.

“I love the community here, everybody really supports you, and it’s like a family,” Miller said. “All the little kids, all the parents, all the grandparents, everybody that supports you and puts their love and faith into you. I know it’s helped me grow throughout my high school career, and I don’t think, without this family, I could’ve grown as a player and as an individual.”