Second chances don’t come around for every athlete that missed out on, or perhaps “blew” their first opportunity for success. Even when a second-chance door is opened, it takes unique courage just to walk through that door. It is even more unusual for a group of young men that graduated from the same high school to find themselves with a sudden, unexpected, even lucky, opportunity to not only get a college education, but to have their dreams come true. That’s what has happened to the former 2014 South Paulding High School graduates: Darrel Wilson, Khalil Jones, and Cory Norman.
For the past 18 months, the trio have been Georgia Highlands College (GHC) Paulding students, members of the Brother 2 Brother Organization (B2B) and the Kiwanis, Circle K International of Kennesaw State and Georgia Highlands College. While at GHC, they played on the B2B recreational men’s basketball team.
According to Coach Dalton Lemelle, a retired Airforce Veteran, the GHC Paulding Campus B2B advisor, B2B basketball coach, and First Year Experience Instructor, the B2B Student Organization’s focus is primarily on the success of GHC’s minority male students. The basketball team was formed as an engaging activity to compliment the students academic programs of study and enrich their student- learning experiences outside the classroom. The team was developed so the young men could experience self-realization, decision-making, and interdisciplinary skills that would in turn offer them academic, athletic, cultural, social, and intellectual growth opportunities. While on the team, the students had to maintain a minimum of a 2.7 grade point average and attend the Tutorial Center to work with the tutor a minimum of 3 times per week. They had to participate regularly in on-campus activities, workshops, leadership events, and community service projects that the college and Paulding community offered, as well as be members of at least one other club organization outside of B2B.
With the B2B motto of “Saving Lives/Salvaging Dreams” Coach Lemelle, was determined to do his part to bring the motto to life. He knew that the three young men had a dream to one day play college basketball at a 4-year college or University. In order for them to fulfill their dream, he also knew they had to take charge and not only learn how to be successful college students, but also learn how to be successful, positive young men. While playing recreational basketball for the past 18 months, each one of the trio enhanced and refined their basketball game as they learned the value of giving, being loyal, having structure in their lives, and believing that dreams can come true. They played against military teams, college club teams and scrimmaged against other college teams, while also working outside jobs and maintaining the requirements to stay on the team. Through their hard work, and dedication to themselves and the team, this group of young men positioned themselves for an interview and workout with Mayville State University, located in Mayville, North Dakota. This interview led them one step closer to their dreams coming true as each signed a Letter of Intent to play basketball during Fall 2016.
According to Assistant Head Coach Bryen Pyles, a Georgia native, “these young men totally get it. They understand what it takes to be a student athlete and how to represent a college. Coach DeWitt (Head Coach) and I were totally impressed with what they will bring to our program away from the court and in the community. Oh by the way, they will also bring more athleticism, hustle, and heart to our program. Any program can never have enough hustle and heart, but more importantly, complete young men”
Team Captain Darrel Wilson said, “My goal was to play college basketball, and I didn’t care where it was. I wanted to play.” Coming out of high school I knew I had the ability, but I just couldn’t get a team interested in me. So when I heard about the GHC B2B organization and how it might help me, I decided to give it a try. Through this journey, I learned the importance of giving back to community and that it is alright to ask for help. I couldn’t accomplish my dream alone.
Cory Norman stated that even though B2B’s mission is to assist minority male students, the organization welcomed me with open arms and really assisted me toward becoming a better young man and basketball player. I did not play a great deal while I was in high school, but like Darrel, I knew I wanted one-day to play at the college level. I just needed a blueprint as to how to make it happen. Coach provided the blueprint and Dr. Green, the GHC college president, has been my mentor for the past 12 months. During this process of development so I could reach my goals, he truly had faith and confidence in me. Even though he is president of the college, he took the time to send me tweets and even offered me some pointers from his playing days. I learned who you “have in your circle” really can make a difference in your success.
Khalil Jones added that he didn’t play high school basketball so his road was very difficult. He stated, “I was an average student in high school, so for me, I had to totally change in order for me to turn my dream into a reality. At times it was very difficult, with working, not just going to college but having to doing well in each course, participating in on-campus and off-campus activities, attending tutoring, and basketball practice. What made it harder was that Coach never gave us slack and was always on us about not cutting any corners. “All I know is what we went through for the past 18 months was all worth it when we signed our Letters of Intent to play basketball at Mayville State University in the fall. I had tears in my eyes as I was signing my letter, and was hoping that I didn’t mess up the letter.
Norman added, “We know that this is just the beginning but to have an opportunity is all anyone can ask for. We know it is a tough road ahead of us but the sacrificing we endured, and the negative talk of not being good enough, will definitely continue to motivate us not only to do well in basketball but continue to be the young men that the GHC B2B Organization groomed us to be.”
The bottom line says Coach Lemelle is that “the guys understand the big picture. They understand that by helping others, they are helping themselves. They understand that what they have accomplished is much bigger than the game of basketball. I am looking forward to seeing them grow and succeed on the court, in the classroom and in the Mayville, North Dakota community, but still expect them to continue to help Paulding County become successful.”