Doing the Little Things on the Court

If you ask DJ Dunham to describe his role during his first season at Timber Creek Regional High School last year, he would tell you he was the team's "trash man," and that he filled the role out very nicely.

There is a certain level of pride that comes through in his words as he explains that he was able to excel in the role his coach had issued him.

When coach William Fahy describes Dunham's play during their first year together, he uses terms like "leader" and "coach's dream."

Dunham is a senior for the Timber Creek boys' basketball team. Like his coach, it is only his second year at the school, having transferred from Winslow Township High School after his sophomore year. They have forged a bond that they both are hesitant to admit. Although to hear them visit the topic, it is easy to see that the bond goes far beyond words and can only be defined on the court.

Dunham is the Chargers' everyman. He is part grinder, part playmaker, part role model and teacher. He figures to be a big part of helping his team continue the success they experienced in 2009-10.

His first season with Fahy and the Chargers saw him thrown into a starting role. He was asked to do the dirty work for the team, be the motor on the floor and keep the team from getting stale. He was asked to give gritty minutes down low for his team. He was given a blue collar role to fill, and he embraced it.

"It was both of our first years, so we had something in common," Dunham said, lookng toward his coach, who gives just a hint of a smile, silently agreeing that they have been through a lot together.

"(Dunham) is mentally focused and physically ready for every practice and game,"  said Fahy, who makes it clear that players like Dunham helped ease his transition to Timber Creek last year. "He does all the little things that we coach and applies them during the game."

Fahy is also quick to point out his senior forward has always embraced his role on the team, even at the beginning.

"DJ understands the team concept, he is coachable, shows a terrific work ethic, has a great attitude, does very well with his academics and is a true leader on the court," Fahy said.

To Dunham, it is about being able to do what is asked of you. There is no vanity in his actions. He has a quiet confidence about him as he talks about basketball. He understands that the lessons he is learning stretch beyond the confines of a gynamsium. He sees being a senior on this Timber Creek team as a responsibility, and he strives to teach the younger players what is expected of them in both  practices and games.

In his own words, Dunham describes the team as "family." He speaks about his teammates like he would his older sister, Aja, 23, or his younger brother, Corey, 12. He credits his parents Daryl and Lynn for instilling such a value system in him.

Dunham, like his coach, understands the contributions needed for a successful team sometimes do not show up on the stat sheet after the game. At times, the team needs someone to keep up the intesity on defense, or fight for possesion. Sometimes, the coach needs someone to be able to run through a wall.

Dunham is that type of player, according to Fahy.

Last season, Dunham played at forward. Over the summer, Fahy had asked him to make the move to guard — a move that would require a good deal of offseason work from his player. Dunham responded by working tirelessly to make the transition.

"In the offseason, he worked very hard to make himself a guard," Fahy said. "He improved his quickness and ball-handling skills, and he has always had a nice-looking shot."

Despite his work and the progress he made, it was undone when one of the Chargers' expected players transferred to a private school before this year.

Dunham was asked to return to his forward position. His response was simple, if not predictable: "Yes sir."

It is the only answer Dunham ever gives — no matter what is asked of him.

He understands the responsibility that comes with being a senior on this Timber Creek squad. There are seven underclassmen on the roster this year,  so, as a senior, he is aware of how he needs to lead by example both on and off the court.

In a sport that has become dominated by individual achievement and recognition, Dunham stresses the the strength of the team — his family. He will happily admit that playing guard appealed to him. It is a more explosive position — one that he would enjoy playing — but he is sure not to let his words sound like disappointment.

He is aware of how important it is to do what is asked of you and how it sometimes isn't exactly what you want to be doing.

To hear the senior speak about the his role on the team, and what he expects from both himself and the Chargers this year, it is clear that winning games is the only goal.

To his credit, Dunham is a player who embraces doing the little things on the basketball court. He is able to see how effort amounts to long-term success, even if there is no one watching. No matter if you are on the court, in the classroom or life itself.

"If the little things don't get done," the senior added, "the big things won't get done."