Pal = hoops, academics

Kevin McCarthy
 

A person’s essence sometimes comes through during an interview but it’s not inevitable. However, with Laguna Creek High’s Amritpal Dhaliwal, already well-spoken as a high school senior, his absolute core is on display when the subject of basketball is the focus.

There is no “I” in “t-e-a-m”

Collectivism, bad rap both earned and with falsehoods annexed, is a term describing a philosophy or belief that emphasizes the interdependence of every person in a group and the priority of group goals over individual goals. But before you start checking under every bed for a red, think about this: isn’t this very description the foundation of group sports?

This subject was never more brightly illuminated as when Dhaliwal described his basketball philosophy: "You play for the name on the front of your jersey, not the one on the back."

These are the words and philosophy that makes every coach’s heart, at any level, flutter -- it’s the purist’s creed.

The returning 6-foot-5 and a half Delta Valley Conference all-leaguer, currently averaging 16 points a game, also offered another telling anecdote. When asked what his most memorable moment on the court was, Dhaliwal responded, "As a freshman starting on varsity, we were down one to Florin and I was fouled as time expired. My teammates looked at me to make the game winning free throws and I knocked both down to win the game."

Again, his offering was a team victory and doing his part in the success.

Another query, regarding his best basketball skills, elicited this response: "Definitely my [basketball] IQ, my willingness to learn. I’m always trying to learn. I watch a lot of game film, trying to improve my weaknesses because you can never master a sport."

Dhaliwal takes the same approach with his academics. He scored a 1920 on his SAT and his grade point average is at the 3.4 level. He is looking to major in kinesiology during college with the desire to emulate his mother and work in the medical field.

A member of the Team 94 club basketball squad, Dhaliwal is coached and trained by Phil Handy who said of the young man: "Pal is definitely a unique kid on and off the court and has a great family. He is one a kind in the sense that when most people see him they do not and would not assume that he plays basketball. I have known Pal since he was in the eighth grade, first meeting him working with one of my colleagues and mentor Gus Armstead and I was impressed not only with Pal’s skills but his toughness. He is deceptive in a lot of ways and after having a chance to coach him this last spring and summer, I learned that he is a competitor -- he competes and really wants to get better. One thing that rings true with him is that you cannot judge a book by its cover. He doesn’t look the part of a talented basketball player but he can play!"

Dhaliwal’s college hoops preference is to be in a program that employs an uptempo playing style and where playing defense is job one but definitely wants to be "where the coaches and players are like a family."

But there remains this season at Laguna Creek. "The guys are looking to me to be a leader and we are growing and jelling as a team. Our goal is to play at ARCO."

Here’s Cardinal Coach Paul Casey describing his senior: "Pal has worked very hard this past year to improve his level of physical conditioning. He has the ability to score points quickly and has also become our top rebounder."

Dhaliwal closed with "if you give your all, you’ll be successful," epitomizing his maturity, confidence and understanding of what it takes to flourish on the court and in life.