Anson Harbaugh leads by service.

The Owasso junior is active in FCA, attends First Baptist Church Owasso, takes leadership and AP classes, volunteers in his community, and at 6-foot-6, is a sizable forward for Owasso’s basketball team.

Harbaugh started playing the game at four years old when he joined a YMCA team coached by his neighbor’s father. He picked up football and baseball, took tennis lessons and “played some golf for fun” – but hoops stole his heart.

“I really liked football and basketball the best,” Harbaugh says. “My height and love for the game helped me make that choice.”

While playing at OHS, Harbaugh has taken opportunities to grow the game in his community through coaching summer youth basketball camps and helping with food banks.

“I work to make good choices and have good character and be leader by example,” Harbaugh says. “I want to be a good role model for kids that watch our games.”

Asked the greatest lesson he has taken from basketball, Harbaugh says playing his role.

“Every player on the team has something they do well,” Harbaugh says. “If I can do my part to make them better, that will move us in the right direction and be a positive for our team.”.

VYPE: Which teammate, past or present, has inspired you on or off the court?

AH: A teammate I looked up to was (Kansas State linebacker) Jake Clifton because he was a DI football player, but he never acted like he was too cool or better than anybody else, and he was nice to everyone.

VYPE: Which teammate has the worst music taste?

AH: I think that people would say that I probably have the worst music on the team, because I listen to country music.”