Prospect Spotlight: Isaac Dewberry 2020 Borah High School
This Friday marks the beginning of the high school basketball season in Idaho. It also starts the journey to the state tournament for every school in Idaho. Last year, Isaac Dewberry (2020) and the Borah High School Lions not only…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis Friday marks the beginning of the high school basketball season in Idaho. It also starts the journey to the state tournament for every school in Idaho. Last year, Isaac Dewberry (2020) and the Borah High School Lions not only reached the state tournament, they won the 5A State Championship. This year they hope to repeat as state champions. “My expectations are very high for this season. We did lose a lot of starters from last year as the team was very senior heavy; however, we will still be very good if we can get good chemistry. We have a lot of very skilled pieces, along with some talented underclassmen coming up to fill spots. I believe we will be very successful.”
Dewberry (2020) began his high school career in Illinois where he played varsity coming off the bench. This past year he moved to Boise and played at Borah High School. The Lions were lead by 11 seniors last year. Dewberry (2020) came off the bench contributing significant minutes in many of the Lions big games. At 6’2″ and 187 lbs, Isaac Dewberry (2020) is hoping to play a bigger roll this year for Coach Jeremy Dennis.
Dewberry (2020) plays AAU ball for Hoop Dreams and Premier. “Through Hoop Dreams, I have played in tournaments in California, Las Vegas, Seattle, and some other big tournaments with a lot of big names. I have played for Premier a shorter amount of time and have only played more local tournaments and one tournament in California.” One of the best things about AAU basketball is the opportunity for kids to play in venues and cities they might not otherwise get to play in. Dewberry (2020) knows what that is like. “Some of my favorite memories playing AAU have been going to the bigger tournaments and seeing big name prospects, but also the team bonding that was done with the players in the long car rides there and in the places we stayed. However, the best memories for me are always winning as a team, me being a competitor. We had a tournament where a lot of the games came down to the wire and we had to work hard to win. Thanks to Biggie, and his buzzer beaters we won a few of those games.”
Photo Courtesy of Isaac Dewberry
Along with the good memories, Dewberry (2020) has learned a lot from playing in these AAU tournaments. “Playing AAU has helped me become more confident as a player and to see what the better competition looks like. Sometimes in the school ball system, players are shackled in a sense as the games have more of a team mentality. In AAU ball, it is more acceptable to play like the real you and how you would usually play. It made me find who I really was as a player, and be able to better incorporate that style of play into the school ball system. Finding that happy medium between having no restrictions at all and playing together.” During this last summer and fall AAU seasons Dewberry (2020) has shown he is ready to set himself apart by averaging over 20 points per game and around 5 rebounds with 3 assists per game.
Dewberry (2020) works out with Leon Williams to help improve his skills and become a better player. When asked to describe himself as a player he said, “I would describe myself as a solid point guard. I can create shots off the dribble, get to the basket at will, and I can consistently knock down shots from short or long range. I love to run the pick and roll as I am a good and willing passer and I like to set up my teammates and expose the faults in the defense. I am a good two way player as I am good on defense, reading passes, and at this level I am athletic enough to be a shot blocker. Something I am trying to improve on being more of a vocal leader. I am a leader through how I play, but I need to be more vocal at times and continue to encourage my teammates more.”
Like many others, basketball has been a big part of Dewberry’s life. “The game of basketball has always been something that I was interested in as my older sister played, but it was not until around second grade that I actually realized I liked it more than football. I love the competitiveness in the game, the big stages, the feeling I get before I play like I am invincible and that nothing and nobody can stop me. I grew up watching Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, old MJ clips, Shaq clips, and I just fell in love with the game. There is not one thing in specific I could pick out that I enjoy the most about it, I find myself intrigued by every facet of the game.” Playing high school basketball has also provided Dewberry (2020) with many memories. “Some of my favorite basketball memories was playing in Illinois against some of the bigger city teams, Decatur MacCarthur, Springfield Lanphier, and a few other teams which were just, to put it bluntly, nasty. They are the scrappiest and most talented teams I have faced and I absolutely loved the fierce competition. They were scrappy to the point of it almost being dirty, but at the same time I admired how as a team, they were brothers. Also, of course winning state last year and growing close to the kids on that team was amazing. It was not easy coming into a new program but they welcomed me and we grew together and were able to do great things.”
Dewberry (2020) has also learned a lot about himself and life through basketball. “Basketball has helped me grow as a person by teaching me how to be a good team player and teamwork skills. Knowing how to encourage those around me, how to see who can take harsh criticism and have it benefit them more, and those who need more constructive criticism. It has also in a way helped me find myself. Basketball has always been something I could go do to clear my mind or if I was upset, I could always just practice for a little while and finish happy and with a smile on my face. It seems to get me through tough times and keeps me motivated, even with little things like homework. I do not let myself practice at times until I finish my homework and it keeps me on top of things and task oriented as I am itching to get on the court but I know I have to get my work done first.”
As a result of his study habits and work ethic, Dewberry (2020) excels in the classroom as much as he does on the court. “I am part of National Honors Society, Spanish National Honors Society & Math Club. I also received an academic award all three years of high school so far for maintaining above a 3.5 GPA during the season.” Outside of basketball, Dewberry (2020) also participates in track where he placed 8th in the state tournament in long jump.
Dewberry (2020) hopes to continue to play basketball after high school. “I am absolutely looking to play basketball at the next level. I have not been in contact with any schools, however I am hoping for that to change very soon. As for a fit at the next level, in terms of strictly basketball, I will be content with simply a solid basketball program with a team that wants to win.”