In Bismarck, Illinois, the spotlight is shining brightly on one exceptional basketball player: Keison Peoples, a senior guard at Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School. Despite being the only returning varsity letterman for the Blue Devils, Peoples has been making headlines with his remarkable performance in the early stages of the 2025-26 basketball season.

“Right now, he’s carrying our team,” remarked BHRA head coach Gary Tidwell, acknowledging the pivotal role Peoples plays on the court.

This season, Peoples is averaging an impressive 33 points per game, a continuation of his stellar performance that earned him all-state honors last year. His knack for scoring seems to run in the family; he is the younger brother of Anaya Peoples, who was named the WCIA Female Athlete of the Year in 2019.

Now in his senior year, Peoples has embraced the mantle of leadership, a crucial role following the departure of five seniors from last year’s team. His ability to step up and lead has been invaluable to the Blue Devils as they navigate this transitional period.

As a senior, he has stepped up as a leader for a team that has needed it after losing five seniors from last year’s squad.

“He’s really stepped up into a positive leadership role,” Tidwell said. “Pretty quiet when he first came in playing for us, but very vocal this year, very encouraging, and it’s a really positive thing to see.”

Peoples is now eligible for $1,500 cash prize we’ll give away to one boy and one girl at the end of the school year.

If you know a deserving local high school athlete, nominate them here.