Prospect Spotlight: Trent Dykema (2018)
Trent Dykema understands the importance of setting goals. He knows how setting your sights high and working to achieve those goals can push an athlete — and a student — forward. And when Dykema says he wants to lead Silver Creek…
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Continue ReadingTrent Dykema understands the importance of setting goals. He knows how setting your sights high and working to achieve those goals can push an athlete — and a student — forward.
And when Dykema says he wants to lead Silver Creek to a Northern League title and be the league’s player of the year, it’s not as if he’s setting goals that are unachievable.
“I believe one of Trent’s greatest strengths is that he plays both sides of the ball very well,” Silver Creek coach Bob Banning said. “He is a tremendous defensive player and because of his length can guard players one through four.”
Dykema, a 6-4 guard, averaged 10.1 points per game as a sophomore last season, more than any other underclassmen in the league. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals, good for third-best in the league. And he may have been just getting started. Dykema had a strong summer for the Colorado Titans, with big tournaments in Milwaukee and Los Angeles.
“I got better at being strong with the ball, getting over defenders and getting my own shot,” Dykema said. “I got better at defending better players and bigger players.”
Banning raves about Dykema’s versatile ability. He can get to the basket with ease and takes great pride in defending multiple positions. He said he spent extra focus on that side of the ball this summer, working on keeping a lower center of gravity to help him stay in front of quick ball-handlers.
Dykema has done a good job reaching the goals he’s set during his high school career. After all, it doesn’t get much better than a 4.3 GPA.
“My parents stress it a lot, but I think it’s just that I know how important grades are, especially when it comes to college and sports,” Dykema said of his academic success. “I do my best to get straight A’s to improve my chances of getting into colleges, and I know that it’s really important.”
As for his college goals? Dykema believes, with his size, skill set and work ethic, he could reach the low Division I level, a level the experienced Banning believes he can reach.
“He could get even better with the work he puts in,” Banning said. “He is a warrior on the floor and a true gentleman off the floor.”
Expect Dykema to be setting plenty more goals over the next two seasons.