Dylan Coleman loves basketball so the Huntington High School junior isn’t pleased that the COVID-19 pandemic has put the Blue Devil team’s season on hold. In the meantime, the teenager is focusing on his interests, which have been coming into much sharper focus.
Mr. Coleman has played on the J. Taylor Finley Middle School and high school basketball teams since seventh grade. But his interest in the sport dates to many years earlier. He displayed a very sweet outside shot when he was only a kindergartener at Washington Primary School. One year he even went to watch the New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day.
The junior is resigned to high school basketball being placed on hiatus. There’s simply nothing that Mr. Coleman can do about it so he isn’t stressing. While he does love the sport, he is concentrating on his academic studies and reflecting on where he wants to take his life in the future.
“Some courses that interest me the most have been Virtual Enterprise and Advanced Placement English Language and Composition,” Mr. Coleman said. “I’m excited to keep working hard with Ms. [Suzie] Biagi as we continue to grow our business.”
Mr. Coleman plans to participate in the Key Club and Habitat for Humanity and their volunteer community service related activities. A member of the National Honor Society and English Honor Society, he participated in a multi-week pre-season conditioning program organized by Blue Devil basketball coach Jordan Ioviero on the outdoor courts at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.
If the entire basketball season ends up being cancelled, Mr. Coleman intends to be ready for the start of his senior season next November. In the meantime, he continues practicing his shooting and dribbling on the outdoor court at his house.
The teenager’s closest friends include Max Rentsch, Joe Sclafani, Kevin Drake, John Marziliano, Dylan Schnitzner, Henry Vohs, Matt Beasley, Liam McDonald, Robbie Smith and Matt Lange.
“My advice to an incoming freshman here at Huntington High School is to work hard every day and get involved with clubs and activities as there is a lot of opportunity here,” Mr. Coleman said.
The teenager hasn’t compiled a list of college possibilities yet, but he is interested in studying business or sports communications. One possibility that he has recently discussed is creating a public relations company focused on school districts. He would develop content for their website and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
“Overall my experience at Huntington High School has been a great and I have met some of my best friends and very inspiring teachers,” Mr. Coleman said.