The Big Interview: Bearden’s Porter Dickson

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> How was your summer, basketball-wise?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> It was good. We started off with Bearden. It went very good. We only lost to one team out of South Carolina. They are preseason ranked 17th. Ridgeview. We played them really tight and we lost by like eight or so. But other than that we had a really good summer and I also played really good, as well.<br><br><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> Did you find out any things that you as a team need to work on before the season starts?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> So, we found out that the best way for us to win is defensively. If we always have our defense on lock, and we are always prepared defensively we are going to win 90% of games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> As an outsider it is exciting to know that you guys are still so good. You graduated some really, really good player. Sometimes that can mean a step back for program, but it sounds like you guys are not taking a step back.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> No, Sir. We are not. We have a great incoming talent and we have also a lot of experience between Brendan [Murphy] and Damian [Cullom] and two other seniors. Also me and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3564544' first='Griffin' last='Anderson']</strong> and <strong>Hudson Snider</strong>. We reloaded. Our program...we don't rebuild. We reload. We bring a lot of incoming talent from the area, great incoming talent, so we are good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> Yes, Sir. How tall are you now?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> I am about 6'4".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> Can you give me a rundown on what Damian does well? I have seen him, but I think you and your coach can give me even more on him.<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> So what he does well...he is a really good defender. He knows how to create space for himself. He is a really smart player. He knows what to do...he is always a step ahead. He gets position down low really well. He plays really smart defense and he's our biggest piece for us this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> Have you talked to any college coaches in the last two months?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> A couple of D2's. I talked to a little bit. Tennessee Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> What are your plans for the rest of the summer?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> I am going to lift. Get stronger. Put on about 10-15 pounds before the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> What are your goals for the season individually?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> Individually it is to grow. It is not to shine. The team shines. I want to grow as a basketball player. Just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> Who are some young guys that you feel are going to help you that no one outside of the program knows about yet?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3686022' first='Connell' last='Byrne']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3686036' first='Ben' last='McDonald']</strong>. Yes. Those two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> What position are you playing this year?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> I am playing the "2" and the "3" and a little bit of the "4".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoopsTN:</strong> What are you trying to accomplish with basketball? Big picture. What is the goal?<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2401962' first='Porter' last='Dickson']:</strong> I want to go D1. I just want to go D1 and get to that level. to the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See the <a href="https://prephoops.com/tennessee/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class of 2028 rankings</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->