Dee Mack Wins A State Title

Dalia Dejesus had two great games at the state tournament while she was under the weather. In the state semifinal game, she scored 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. In the state championship game she scored 16 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 blocks. I talked with Dalia after her state championship victory. 

“There's no other way to put it other than to say it’s perfect. This is the way that literally hundreds of seniors wish they could go out, and very few get to actually see it happen so I'm glad that Jaelyn (Nunley) and I were those few.” 

Dalia talks about coach Nightingale being her coach, her high school career and how she has helped her. “She’s genuinely my backbone. Nobody will ever know how much she has done for me, especially in this last year. It's incredibly obvious how well she’s turned the program around, but she’s done it while creating a family within. She coaches and teaches her players how to play the game with honor and respect, that’s why we’ve been so successful.”

How does it feel to win a state championship with this group of ladies? “It feels incredible! I’m so grateful for these girls, this program, this community. They wrote this dream on their heart years ago. They’ve worked every day in between to make it happen.  We traveled 3,688 miles round trip this season to prepare for our postseason moment. Our program has 15 athletes—2 have been injured all season. Our Varsity roster has 9 girls—only 4 upperclassmen and only 2 returning starters. 

The leadership of our upperclassmen has been a game changer. At the start of the season, I proposed a leadership course to them. We met weekly—usually Monday mornings before school. Elite teams are led by the players.

We’ve known for a long time that these girls are special. It was nice to have the opportunity to compete on the highest stage in high school to show others just how special they are, too. What fills me with the most pride, though, is knowing what incredible human beings these kids are. Truly unbelievable. Team first—it takes a special person to have an All-Stater on your team and celebrate her success like your own. 

Anna Schmidgall was asked about missing her first 7 baskets before hitting a 3 in the state title game. Her response was immediate and with a big smile—I’m so grateful. I’d rather hit a 3 in the fourth when it mattered.

Riley Durbin hit our first field goal. She managed the pressure. Our team had only 8 turnovers in the state title game.

Jaelyn Nunley is the most composed 3 point shooter I’ve ever seen. Her shot looks the same every time. No flashy celebrations—just a smile that warns her competitors to watch out.

Kate Schmidgall is underrated. On Thursday she was asked to defend a 6’2 post (said post had 2 FG attempts in our game) and then on Saturday asked to defend a 5’5  perimeter player who can shoot and drive. She shined in both roles.

Saturday morning, Coach Brownlee texted me the verse of the day: Ecclesiastics 4:9-12…indeed, a 3 chord rope is stronger than one…

What an amazing journey! I’m so very proud of this program and even more thankful for them.”

Dalia has been a gamechanger for Dee Mack, Coach Nightengale gives praise to Dalia for all she has done at Dee Mack. 

“Dalia’s life has not been easy. She has EARNED everything she’s accomplished. She’s resilient. When you’ve been challenged and walked through the “suck” of the challenge, you see there’s another side and you were capable of getting there. Having a groin injury to end the regular season and getting sick the eve of your biggest game to date are obstacles that Dalia proved she was tough enough to overcome.

Dalia is the greatest basketball player to have walked through the doors at Dee-Mack. Her records back that up. But the most impressive thing about Dalia isn’t her ability to score 50 points or register a triple double. Dalia is one of the greatest human beings I’ve been lucky enough to coach. She’s team first. She pours into her community. She’s a fierce competitor, but she wants to beat you the right way—with class. She coaches up her teammates and demands a standard of effort in practice because she sets the standard herself. I love this kid. I’m so excited to see her continue to move mountains. I’ll always be in her corner cheering her on.” 

Dee Mack made history, persevered, and won games. Dalia Dejesus, the greatest basketball player in school history, ends her high school career as a state champion.