By Tatum Love, Staff Writer
Dylan Blake, who holds the First Flight record for most career points scored (2,389) and finished third all-time in North Carolina in made 3-pointers with 423, announced earlier this month that he will continue his career at Bridgewater College in Virginia starting with the Fall 2021 semester.
After a long recruiting period that led to few offers from larger schools, Blake committed to ECU last spring as an invited walk-on. But shortly after, he realized that in order for him to pursue his basketball career he needed to “have a connection with my coach and get more playing time,” Blake explained. He toured Bridgewater in November and loved the Division-III school that competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
“The basketball program is very good,” Blake said. “There is a lot of support from the school and the community. They haven’t had the best seasons in the past, but I’m hoping we can change that. It’s surrounded by a great community. That’s what’s most important to me, is that I feel the love and I feel like I’m wanted there.”
Blake has been talking with Bridgewater head coach Steven Enright since his freshman year of high school. This is one of the major factors that helped Blake with his decision.
“I want to pursue a career in basketball. I just feel like it’s such a great sport that I want to share my love for with others, and I feel like Coach Enright will push me and help me the most with that,” Blake said. “He believes in me just like Coach (Chad) Williams did, and that’s the type of coach I want to play for.”
After Blake set FFHS career records for points, games played, 3-pointers, free-throw attempts and makes, and double-figure scoring games – a remarkable 101 of his 110 games played – Williams is excited to see the 2020 graduate pursue his dream of continuing his basketball career.
“Dylan has a tremendous work ethic, competitive nature and an ability to shoot the ball from deep that opens up things for other offensive players,” Willams said.
Now he can soar with the Eagles after taking the Nighthawks to new heights.
“I’ve put in lots of work, lots of time, lots of effort, and I don’t want that to go to waste. I want to prove myself,” Blake said.
Junior Tatum Love can be reached at 22loveta53@daretolearn.org.
