Dante Holiday: Road to the League

[Jay [FSU]]

So guys, this is going to be another player story by me, Jay. I have made Dante Holiday, a high school player with a heart of gold who is now in the later stages of his high school basketball career, state tournament to be accurate. He will be recruited to a team, and I will be that team, and hopefully he'll make it to the NBA.

Let's get ready.

Note: Feedback Is Always Appreciated!

[Jay [FSU]]

[Jay [FSU]]

3/5/2007:

This was it. Last game of my regular season career with La Cueva high school. The Bears have been my team since I can remember. I've always had a deep affection for this team, and for my coach, who is also my father, Gregory Holiday.

This team has been a part of me since 1997, when my father took over the reigns as head basketball coach. Since then, we've had only one losing season, 1999, where we went 11-18. My father, perfectionist that he was, knew I would be coming to high school in about 4-5 years and started training me to be the best player I could be. While I started at point guard my freshman year, I did not do the best I could do. Instead, I just passed so the spotlight would be off of me.

Sophmore year was a big turning point for me, because I wanted to get to college to play for Bobby Knight, a man my father knows quite well. In fact, Coach Knight is my god father. So I played my hardest, and I still was doing about as good as my freshman year. I realized I was not strong enough, and started to lift weights. This is about the time I got my growth spurt. 5'11 to 6'4 in a span of 4 months. It was a big stepping point for me when I started to bulk up and do better in AAU play. I started to tear up in the summer leagues, and that's when I knew my junior year would be my breakout year.

I went on a tear junior year, averaging close to 13 points and 8 assists a game. People touted me as D-1 material, something I knew I wanted to be. So I worked harder and harder until I couldn't work harder. But, we finally got to the state finals against Rio Rancho HS, and lost 65-67. I took the potential game-winning three and missed. I cried like Adam Morrison. I pounded the ground as the team walked away, my father looking at me, disgusted.

I didn't talk to him for three days. Instead, I was at the gym, replicating every move I made over the season, perfecting it. I wanted to be a machine. When school began, I didn't go out for the football team, where I would have been a sure captain (I was a wide reciever. Career stats: 45 catches, 1,000 yards, 27 TDs), but I wanted to focus on ball. I grew another inch. Improved my shot, and went on a tear this year. I averaged about 17 points and 8 assists a game, and was the only player in my region to average more than 15, 5, and 5 a game. Colleges came calling. Boston University, New Mexico State, and Boise State were the main ones. But Gonzaga and Marquette were giving me passing calls and whatnot. Kansas State is where I want to end up, though. They haven't offered me anything and haven't called but twice, but I know I can go there.

This is it for my journal for today, though.


"And now, the captain for the La Cueva Bears, #8, Dante Holiday!"

[wiskyfootball]

I have a large set of testicles. He he.

[Just Blaze]

wiskyfootball said:

I have a large set of testicles. He he.

how does he still post as a guest?

[Jay [FSU]]

3/6/2007:

One day later. One day, man.

"Holiday is in at point guard, a position he does not usually play. La Cueva is up 87-86 with 21 seconds to go. Chad Adams from Highland High is guarding him closely. All Holiday needs to do now is handle the ball and hold it until the game is over.

14 seconds. Holiday with a smirk on his face.... He crosses Adams over! Holiday with no one around him, blows a kiss to the backboard and shoots a triple! It's good!

90-86, La Cueva with the lead. Adams brings it up, he has 26 points in this contest. Adams shoots the three... GOOD! And a FOUL by Dante Holiday!!!!!"

"What!!?! Ref what the **** man! I was pushed into him!"

The truth is, I really was. The power foward nudged me just a bit while I was off guard, and I collided with Adams.

"Adams at the free throw line to get one more... He misses... Tremaine Greene from Highland gets the rebound and SLAMS it home!!!!!!!!!!! 90-91, Highland up with 4 seconds to go.

Reggie Holiday, sophmore brother of #8 Dante Holiday, brings it up, throws it the length of the court! Dante Holiday gets it, a slam dunk! OH NO! It rattles off the backboard! Highland wins the state championship! Highland wins!!!"

So I walked out. Towel over my head. Game tape shows me getting pushed. My dad knew it. He was a little miffed I tried the dunk instead of the layup, and that I essentially cost him state-wide glory two years in a row. It was understandable.

So I was sitting in my den, playing 360 with Reggie, when the weirdest thing happened.

"Hello, may I please speak with Dante?"
"Uhh.. Yeah this is him."
"Hello Dante. My name is Mark Few. I am the coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team, and since your visit we have been thinking many things over. Particularly our future. Now, we know your style of play from when you worked out with us, and your ability. I was actually at your game last night. You played brilliantly. Don't worry about the missteps you make on the court, they will only make you better. So I now ask the question, will you accept a scholarship if we give you one?"

I went numb. Gonzaga, begging me to play for them. I couldn't say no.

But my dad could.

[Jay [FSU]]

6/8/2007:

So it's been awhile since my last entry.

My dad said no to Gonzaga. But then warmed up after Coach Few flew out to talk to us, and guarenteed me a starting position. My dad smiled. Reggie was interested as well, because next season will be his junior year, and coaches start to take notice then. Few offered me a scholarship, and after little hesitation, I accepted.

So began a rigorous routine of training to be the best player I can be at the school I will be attending. I am also going there for academics -- while some blow school off with an easy major, I will be a History major with a secondary education minor. In case basketball does not pan out, I can be a high school teacher and coach. It all depends.

8 was not avalible. So I took 23. It looked to be the best option. They're going to use my height to an advantage. I'm hoping to be the best I can be for this team.

In 5 months you'll hear from me. After my first game.

[detroitbasketball]

wiskyfootball said:

I have a large set of testicles. He he.

bama - IP ban plz?

[Jay [FSU]]

11-8-2007:

Dante Holiday's Debut


Well, it was a strenuous five months. I worked out, got better, found my shot, and made friends. Josh Heytvelt and Jeremy Pargo are two of the main guys on the team, they're the undisputed leaders. They live off campus in a nice apartment which I go to repeatedly to study. Pargo has the same major as me, so it's cool I have someone I ball with and can study with.

But anyway, before the game it was just crazy. The crowd was on fire, we were doing drills, and finally, the announcements came.

"Starting at foward, number 5, Austin Daye. Starting at guard, number 2, Jeremy Pargo!!!! Manning the middle, number 50, Ira Brown! Starting at the other foward, the captain, number 42, Josh Heytvelt! And finally, freshman sensation, number 23, Dante Holiday at the other guard!!!"

I bolted on to the court, slapping fives and crackin' wise with the other starters. I was happy I got the start, because I totally deserved it. Not to brag, but I was the best out of the four freshmen recruited. Austin Daye is another freshman who is starting beside me, and we formed a bond. It's tough to be expected to perform at such a high level as a freshman. Austin was a five star out of high school. I was a three star. But I am getting more discussion because of my size and versatlity. Many say I'm a 'dark horse' in the NBA Draft next June. We'll see how that goes.

Tip off came, and I started going on a streak, shooting two threes and making them both to score the first six points for my team. I got a few assists here and there, and just started to play how I played in high school. I slammed home and alley-oop pass, and dished out 8 assists for the game. I actually wasn't the leading assist man in this game, surprisingly. Jay-Parg had 10. He had 11 and 10. Austin looked lost out there, so I stayed by him and tried getting him the ball as much as possible, but even though we were killing Montana, they were playing him hard. I felt bad.

The final thirteen minutes of the game I sat because we were up 76-39. Austin was out there, and I was his cheering section. When he got his first points, off of a layup in traffic, I was so happy. We room together, so we were both nervous about this game, but we did great.

We won, 85-43. I finished with 18 points, 0 boards, and 8 assists. It felt good to get a pat on the back by Coach Few after the win. Next up is Idaho, and I am getting the start again.

Gonzaga Record: 1-0 (0-0)
Dante Holiday Averages: 18 ppg, 0 rpg, 8 apg

[Jay [FSU]]

11-18-2007:

Two In One Recap, Gonzaga 3-0, Ranked #17

Well, after just destroying Montana, I feel as though we are in good shape to make a run this year. We have a weak conference, so I don't think that a 20 win season is beyond us. While we have destroyed three teams, I also feel like we're playing above our level.

Our second game against Idaho was a good game, we edged them out 57-63. I had 12 points with 3 boards and 3 assists. That game was a game that I'll remember for a long time because I slammed the ball over Jordan Brooks, who is about 6'7, and has a huge wingspan. It was tough to do, but I did a one-handed tomahawk dunk over him. I was benched for the rest of the game after that, though, because Coach Few wanted to get some of the reserves out there with the first team. I don't like how he did that, and I hope it's not a recurring problem.

Our third game of the season was another good one. We played UC Riverside and beat them, 81-60. Pretty good game for me -- 19 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 4 stl, 1 blk. I was being a pretty well-balanced player, and even though I scored a lot, I also passed, which Coach Few liked, so I stayed in longer. I think I'm starting to figure it out a bit -- play like a point guard and I'll get more time. It sounds reasonable... So I guess I'll do it. My boy Jay Hey (Josh Heytvelt) scored 25 and grabbed 11, he's averaging a double double so far. I'm really liking how this team is melding together lately. We seem to be doing better on the court, and it's really showing.

Recently my life has been getting a little hectic. I'm taking America to 1877, and we just had a test, which was killer. They were asking some odd questions which I don't remember reading about, so I hope I did well. Also, there's this girl, Evangelina, who is also from New Mexico; Albequerque, to be exact. She's been giving me the 'stare' lately, hopefully that turns in to something good.

Well, I'm out, guys. These next few blog entries I hope to recap some games and give you a bit on what's been goin' on in the life of D-Haul (my nickname!). Allright, later.

Gonzaga Record: 3-0 (0-0)
Dante Holiday Averages: 16 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.7 spg

[Jay [FSU]]

11-28-2007:

Gonzaga Wins Great Alaskan Shootout

After a big win the first day of the tournament, I was able to relax.

We played Western Kentucky. They're a pretty good hoops school for a mid-major. They're second in the standings to us in the mid-major poll. And damn, man, did they come balls out. They were hitting shots all over me, and I was pulled early and stuck to the bench because I wasn't playing defense or passing the ball. We ended up winning 65-52, but it would have been higher had Coach Few kept me in. I understand his logic though -- I am one of his best players, and I need to make those around me better.

Second game was against Texas Tech. Bobby Knight. He came up and gave me a hug and kiss before the game. As I stated in a previous blog entry, he's my god father. So I had to make this a special game.
I came out like crazy, playing insane defense and shooting lights out. I finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, a career high in assists. Coach Few was all smiles when I gave my god father a hug. We won 83-80. It was a little close for comfort, but hey, what are you gonna do?

Finally, it was the day of the Great Alaskan Shootout Championship Game, against Virginia Tech. Now, VA Tech had their eye on me the whole game. I was shoved to the ground repeatedly after charging to the basket. #21, Lewis Ritcher, had the balls to call me a "stank-ass white boy" after he shoved me down. I got in his face, and got benched for it. Coach benches me a lot, but I understand why he does it. Man, I need to calm down.

We ended up winning the tournament by routing Tech 92-71. My boy Jay-Hey (Heytvelt) scored 33 and ripped down 19, so he was the key factor, and won tournament MVP. I was happy for him.

Next up for my blog of games is St. Joesph's and UConn. They're both crappy this year, so hopefully we'll be okay. But until then, I might just stop in to give you guys a clue as to what has happened tonight, and why I'm in such a shitty mood.

Gonzaga Record: 6-0 (0-0)
Dante Holiday Averages: 16.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.7 spg

[Jay [FSU]]

11-28-2007


My Night Out

So we went out tonight. It was fun, you know, gettin' a little crunk and what not. I went to Josh's apartment with Austin (Daye), and we had a little Miller High Life, when all the sudden some people came in. People for Sigma Nu, a fraternity on the campus.

They started giving Josh some crap about money, when all the sudden, all I can remember is:

"Heytvelt man, you owe us money. We got you what you need, now you get us our 240."

"José, Dougie, cats, calm down man! I'll get you it, man, just wait 'till after the Conneticut game, baby, I'll cover the spread."

Spread? 240?

It is then I found out my "boy" isn't all he appeared to be. He performed based on a spread or something. This pissed José off a bit, I could tell, and José smiled at him.

"Allright baby ese, well to make sure we get that shit...."

And he took my Miller and slammed it right into Josh's nuts. As hard as he could. He hit the floor. I immediately lunged at that guy, and before I knew it I was knocked out.

Turns out, Austin isn't all he turned out to be, either. Hit me with a full bottle of Grey Goose, right on my occipital lobe. I was out cold.

"Austin, get out of here, you did what you needed to do."
"Allright. Night night, snowflake."

I drifted asleep.

Or was it all a dream?

[Jay [FSU]]

12-6-2007

We stumbled, but now it's allright.

So, we went in to the next week doing a bit crappy. Austin just sort of disappeared. Coach said it's because of a family matter and will be back in three weeks. In the meantime, Larry Gurganious will be starting at power foward. I was moved to small foward, Jeremy was kept at the point, and Michael Bouldin is now the shooting guard. Heytvelt is our center.

So we played St. Joesph's and it was an easy blowout, 84-48. We played tough, and we led 50-24 going in to the second half, so coach sat me and the rest of the starters, and the second string played. I finished with 5 points for the game, but it was cool because it was an easy ass win.

Next game was UConn, and I was nervous. They're always putting a damn good team on the court. I couldn't stop thinking about Austin, though. The nerve of that bastard to do that to me. I didn't know he was in deep with anything, either. It was a total surprise to see. Oh well. People aren't always what they appear to be.

We beat UConn. They're crap this year. 3-3 now, we beat them 90-97. I had 11 points this game, which was a far cry from what I usually score, just like the game before, but it's allright because we have been on track lately with this new lineup. People think UConn is a beast of a team, but anymore, even a lineup like Canisius could beat them.

This final game pissed me off though. It was against Washington State, the number 14 team in the nation. Now, we came in with the 7 overall ranking in the nation, so it was supposed to be competitive. Wrong.

We looked lost the whole game, and I got injured with a bruised knee, so I scored only 2 points. 18 points over the past three games, a 6 average. That sucks. Heytvelt was scoring all over everyone, and finished with 40 points and 12 rebounds, so at least someone is doing something right. We lost to WSU 54-64. I can't believe we lost a game. I was so heated, man. But we had to lose sometime -- we aren't invincible.

So sometime later I'll have to tell you guys more about Austin. I did some snooping around online and in the frat houses, and I'll tell you all what is up. Until then, I'm out.

Gonzaga Record: 8-1 (0-0)
Dante Holiday Averages: 12.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.2 spg

[Jay [FSU]]

12-7-2007:

Just Some Snooping


So after recollecting my thoughts as to what happened the other night between Josh and the Mexicans, I decided to snoop around a little bit, find out about what is going on in the campus. Gonzaga is a relatively secure campus, nothing bad usually happens, but you always will have the creepers out there that live to cause trouble.

Looking through the yearbook, I found the two guys who 'attacked' Josh. Their names weren't José and Doug. They were Renardo Guillen and Vicenté Lee. So either 'Jose' and 'Doug' are codenames, or Renardo and Vicente are just covers.

I did some research on them, and they graduated from campus as juniors, well ahead of their class with criminal justice degrees. Now that's a bit odd, working for the mob or whatever and having criminal justice degrees. It's kinda like that movie "Alpha Dog" sort of.. Drug dealers, money, and now Austin is missing.

Speaking of Austin, he transferred. All his shit was gone, and all mine was still there, neatly arranged. He left a note "I rearranged the room to accomidate you, bought you a TV and shit... So keep your mouth closed."

He bought me a 35 inch flatscreen and a couch and a new PS3. Nice guy.. But it was all blood money. He said he was going to San Jose State to lay low.. And at the end of the note he wrote "You're the only one I can trust."

I guess I should probably keep my mouth shut, then. But then again, I'm worried about Heytvelt, even though he is a cheating bastard.

I'm out.

[Jay [FSU]]

12-10-2007:

"Hello, and welcome back College Hoops Tonight. I'm Greg Gumble, and tonight we have highlighted the top fifty players in college basketball, and now, we get to the last one, number 50.

We go to Dante Holiday, freshman from Gonzaga University. Holiday, from La Cueva high school where he averaged 16 points, 6 boards, and 8 assists a game, is making a huge impact for the Zags.

He originally was slotted in as the starting shooting guard but just recently was moved to small foward in a huge lineup change, when Austin Daye disappeared from the campus. Now that Holiday is at small foward his numbers have started to go down a bit, but he is still a dynamic player.

Now, since the team is coming upon three easy teams with an injury-depleted Oklahoma team rounding out these games, we can surmise that Holiday will start to score at will. Jeremy Pargo and Josh Heytvelt are great players, but there is no question that Holiday is the scorer for this team. His average for points scored a game is 12.3, and that's only an average that will go up with the weak conference play and the games ahead. The main game where we will see the true Dante Holiday is Tennesee, where he will be matched with Chris Lofton, who is a great scorer that Holiday will need to guard to show the world how great he is.

I think of him as a late first round pick if he declares this year, but if he stays all four years of college, top three pick. Expect Holiday to go on a tear here soon of scoring, I expect him to finish the year with 20 a game.

This is Greg Gumble, signing off.

[Jay [FSU]]

12-30-2007

Sick

Well, I've been sick recently, so I didn't play in the last few games. We lost to Tennessee, but we've beaten Oklahoma, Riverside, Northern Colorado, etc. so it's not all bad. But Tennessee was killing them, I guess, the final score was 75-52. Pargo had a good game like usual, but Josh was just sucking the fat one, man. He shot 2-32 from the field and grabbed 3 boards. It's horrible to think about, a big man who is projected to go Top 15 do that bad. But he'll bounce back.

I'm gonna be in uniform for the game tomorrow, against Utah. So I won't have a recap for a while, I'll post another one after conference play begins against Loyola.

One more thing -- Austin has transferred and will be playing for his school next year. But word around campus is that the kids that attacked Josh are really part of some mafia. It's crazy -- my life sounds made up. But it's not. This whole thing is f'ed up. I think I should tell the cops.


Gonzaga Record: 11-2 (0-0)
Dante Holiday Averages: 12.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.2 spg

[TJFOR3]

This is good. I'm reading.

[Jay [FSU]]

1-16-2008

Born Again

Happy New Year, ya'll, even though it is 15 days or so late. But listen, we've played four games since I last talked to you guys, and let me tell you, these last two have been just crazy.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Utah and Georgia were just shitty games. We lost by a combined total of 211-129. It was just horrendous -- no shots were falling, and I was getting cued in on every game. Triple and quadruple teams were flocking to me, and honestly, it was pissing me off. I used to get that in high school a lot, but I used to be able to deke right by them; not now though. It was really a wake up call, because we did not really go against big teams, and now I know I am not NBA ready. I thought I was ready, honestly. Now I know I'm not, though.

The conference play started against Loyola and Pepperdine. Now something came over me. I was tired of being pushed around the previous two games, and I told my teammates to "Trust me. If you guys trust me, we'll win." Now, if you guys did not know, the WCC is an easy-ass conference. But Loyola came in 2-13, and gave us a bit of trouble at first. That's when they knew. Jeremy started feeding me the ball like none other, and I finished the game with 40 points, a career high. We blew out Loyola on their home court, 112-84.

Pepperdine was another big game for me. 39 points for me, and we destroyed them on THEIR court, 93-65. They honestly had no answer for us, and Coach Few saw that I was on fire, and wanted to keep me in with the reserves, where I scored 13 straight points and didn't commit a turnover. He told me after the game I have the potential to be the greatest player he's ever coached. I truly believe it could happen if I play like this. My teammates are happy we're winning, and all of them personally told me that if I continue to play like this, they don't care if they get to touch the ball, they just want to win the championship ring. And if I play like this night in and night out, I firmly believe we will win a championship in my time here.

The next three games are against San Diego, South Florida, and Memphis. I'm a bit worried about them. Derrick Rose played with me in a high school allstar game, so I know what his game's like. Coach Few told me I would be guarding him, and if that plays out, I believe we'll win.

I'm out.


Gonzaga Record: 13-4 (0-0)
Dante Holiday Averages: 16.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.8 spg

[Jay [FSU]]

I forgot, if anyone wants to be in this dynasty, I have a signup form on another post by me.

Cheers.
- Jay

[Jay [FSU]]

1-27-2008

Tough, Man, Tough.

This is getting to be straight up bullshit.

We lost to San Diego and Memphis, but beat San Francisco. The funny thing? I sprained my leg in the San Diego game. My averages for the three games? 8 points, 2 boards, and 6 assists. I can't believe how shitty we did.

No one had an answer for San Diego, it was evident from tipoff. I went in for a layup and Pomere or whoever that guy is from San Diego practically threw me to the ground, and I landed on my leg, it hurt really bad. Sprained it. I came back in with 4 seconds to go in the second half and hit a two pointer and stole the inbound but missed the final shot. We lost 65-66.

San Francisco was a game for me though because I got 10 points, and that was good because I helped fuel a late run for us. I didn't start the game, I came off the bench and hurt my leg a bit more, but as of me writing this it's fully healed. I came in with 7 minutes to go in the game and scored 10 straight points on 5-5 shooting, and we won 59-84.

Finally, the Memphis game. 9 points for me in this one, came off the bench again. Derrick Rose scored 43 points and dished off 12 assists in this game. He was damn unstoppable. We lost 44-104, the "MOST EMBARASSING LOSS I'VE EVER BEEN PART OF! I'M SICK!" as Coach Few remarked to us.

All we can do now is pray we go on a bit of a run. We're 14-6 right now, which is good for #19 in the nation, but we want to make a run in the tournament and that's not going to happen unless we pull our crap together.

And the whole thing outside with the supposed "mafia" thing has been dispelled. The guys have been arrested, they were found in Santa Barbara in a diner. Josh (Heytvelt) is in trouble with the NCAA Board Of Advisors, but they're letting him finish out the season. They're going to make a ruling on him come tournament time.

We also got a player back, 7'4 Will Foster, he was inserted into the starting lineup for the game tomorrow against Portland. He's going to be an ANIMAL for us. I just hope everything gets better from here on in.

On a final note, I got my test back from my class "America To 1877." I got a 100%! I have all A's in my classes from last semester, and they were no slouch classes, either. I'm actually applying myself, and as a result, I am on the early Dean's List for this semester, which started the 22nd. I also met a girl, Courtney Vandersloot, who plays for the girl's team. She's a freshman, too, so we'll see where that goes.

Allright everyone, I'll give a recap on Feb. 10, after the rematch with Pepperdine. We have Portland, Santa Clara, Saint Mary's, and Pepperdine coming up in a span of four games, so those will be on the recap. Until then, later!

Gonzaga Record: 14-6 (3-1) #19 N, #1 CONF, #1 Mid-Major
Dante Holiday Averages: 14.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.7 spg