By John Raffel
Dylan Carl was definitely impressive last year as a sophomore basketball player for the Alma Panthers. He averaged 13.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game and shot 49 percent from the floor. Those numbers earned him first-team all-conference, first-team all-area, and honorable mention all-state.
Considering last year’s performance, it’s no major surprise to his coach, JT Cleveland, and to others that Carl is putting up impressive numbers this season. So far, he’s averaging 13.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 4.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game and is shooting 59.5 percent from the floor.
“Everything is a gradual increase as he steadily improves, but his shooting percentage has jumped 10 percent,” Cleveland said. “That is from his skill and strength improvement in the offseason. His assists have a nice jump as well, which shows his decision-making continues to improve, but also from teams keying on him with zones and double teams. He has been very unselfish and happy to set up his teammates.”
“Some
“Special moments from this season right now have been going undefeated in the conference in the first half of the season, and against Bullock Creek when I had four dunks,” Carl said. “My varsity career has been decently successful so far, other than losing in the district championship last year. This season has been pretty successful so far. I have been playing a lot better as the games go on, so I will be playing my best during playoffs.”
“He has really improved our team offense, points per game, and obviously wins this year,” Cleveland said. “Dylan is stronger, faster, better ball-handler, decision maker, shooter, and a better leader. Dylan was very good last year, but now he dominates games. He had the first triple double I have ever coached vs. Swan Valley with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks.”
“Areas of my game I feel I have especially improved on this year is my shooting and ball handling,” Carl said. “Areas of my game I am still focusing to get better on is my shooting and my ball handling. I have improved on them, but there is still a lot of improving to do on those two things.”
In a recent game against Shepherd, there was a four-minute span during which Carl grabbed every rebound on both ends of the floor. During that time, he totaled four defensive and two offensive boards, and Alma’s lead went from 13 to 25 points. Cleveland figures that while Carl’s blocks are up, the number of shots he changes is also higher. As many as 10 shots a game are affected by his presence.
“My expectations are so high for Dylan, but at times he still amazes me with his play,” Cleveland said. “He has became the dominant force I knew he could be, but he can still improve. His potential is almost limitless. He is blessed with size, speed, and coordination. This is why he is so versatile for us on the court. We may post him at the start of the game, then he may play high post, then shoot a three, then drive and finish later in the game. We can play him all over the court. On long rebounds this year, we have even encouraged him to bring the ball up on the break.”
It’s not surprising that defenses have focused on stopping Carl. “Some defenses have tried double teaming him out of a man-to-man, but he is too good a passer,” Cleveland said. “He always finds the open man. Most teams have tried to zone us, but he is great at finding a gap in the middle and then being a playmaker. He decides whether to shoot, drive, or pass. When we scored 76 points vs. Big Rapids, they played us zone the entire way, and Dylan scored and set up his teammates over and over all night.”
Cleveland estimates that Carl works on his game 2½ hours a day. “He spends time lifting weights, shooting, and playing,” Cleveland said. “He has gained almost 20 pounds since last season. His vertical is four inches higher. His shooting is much better and more consistent. Dylan is a one-sport athlete, but he works on it year round.”
“Dylan is blessed with talented teammates, and they are blessed with the most unselfish star ever. Dylan is one of the best passers I have ever coached. He is as happy with a no-look pass for a layup as he is with a thundering dunk. The constant attention he draws from zones and double teams helps his teammates get open three[-pointer]s and easier drives to the basket.”
Carl is getting a lot of looks from colleges, and among the top schools he is considering are the University of Detroit, Lehigh University, Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan University.
After Alma’s first 15 games, the Panthers were 12-3. “Our season this year has been pretty successful so far,” Carl said. “We pretty much beat ourselves in those three losses. The keys behind the team’s success is how hard and competitive we go in practice. We are always giving it all we can and being very competitive.
“Some team goals for the rest of the year are to win the conference, win districts, and then win regionals and go from there. It will take a lot to reach those goals. We have to get better every day and always give it everything we have.”