By Cole Tomlin, Staff Writer
Four-time first-team all-region and all-conference, plus two-time conference player of the year.
Three-time all-region, third place in state history with 423 made 3-pointers, fourth place in state history in free throws made, and 15th all-time with 2,389 points scored.
The numbers don’t lie when it comes to calling Dylan Blake one of the best players in North Carolina history. But one of the biggest numbers people focused on throughout the legendary shooter’s career was zero – as in, no great scholarship offers.
By the end of the recruiting process, which was cut short by the COVID-19 outbreak, the senior’s top-five choices for continuing his basketball career were down to ECU, Maryland-Baltimore County, Winthrop, Central Pointe and Brewster Academy.
In May, Blake finally announced his commitment as a preferred walk-on to the Division-I purple and gold Pirates at ECU.
“I have to pay for my tuition,” Blake said. “But I’m given a spot on the team and after my first year I can earn a scholarship based on my performance.”
Anyone who knows Blake and has watched him play knows he will do everything possible to work his way to being a starter at ECU thanks to his dedication and competitiveness.
“Dylan is one of the most competitive players I have coached,” said Chad Williams, the varsity basketball coach at First Flight High School. “I am thrilled that Dylan will be going to East Carolina. I have a long-standing relationship with Coach (Joe) Dooley, whom I worked for at East Carolina when I was in college during his first tenure there.”
Williams isn’t the only person who’s been supportive of Blake’s decision. He’s also had what feels like the support of the whole OBX community and countless other individuals he’s met through his basketball career, including coaches, teammates and friends.
These people had a huge impact on Blake’s decision due to his desire to be close to home. Luckily for him, ECU is only two and a half hours away, making it easier for friends and family to come see games or for him to come home.
Everyone is eager to see what Blake can do after shattering countless records in high school. In his 110 games for the Nighthawks, he scored in double figures in 101 of those. His 2,389 career points included 112 3-pointers this past season while averaging 27.6 points per game.
Blake said his favorite memory was when he reached 2,000 career points – an accomplishment that had never been done by any player at FFHS.
“I want to be remembered as a role model, not just a good basketball player but also a great student and just as a person to be around,” Blake said.
Everywhere the Nighthawks played, fans were thrilled to watch Blake put up shots from anywhere on the court. There’s no doubt that Williams, teammates, fans and even opponents are going to miss watching this special player light up the court with 3-pointers from the Nighthawk logo.
“Dylan is very shy, almost timid and mild mannered and unassuming off of the court,” Williams said. “However, the caged tiger gets released when the ball goes into the air.”
Junior Cole Tomlin can be reached at 21tomlinco11@daretolearn.org.
