COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Dyson has grown at E&H

EMORY, Va. – J.D. Dyson was tentative when he arrived at Emory & Henry College four years ago.

Dyson knew that E&H head basketball coach Bob Johnson had a national reputation as a taskmaster. But the graduate of Tabb High School in Yorktown, Va., wasn’t exactly sure what that meant.

“I found out in a hurry,” Dyson said. 

The process of self discovery began with 4:30 a.m. wakeup calls and intensive 5:30 practices. Much like a private in the military, Dyson and his fellow freshmen were forced to pay their dues with devotion and sweat.

Lots of sweat.

“I took care of the jerseys, did the laundry, got the water. I did a little bit of everything,” Dyson said.

The 5-foot-7, 140-pound Dyson also learned the essentials of point-guard play and the qualities of leadership from Johnson

“Coach J. let me know right away that I wasn’t in high school anymore,” Dyson said. “He expected me more to be vocal and to be mentally tough.”

Johnson died in August of cancer, yet Dyson said he will never forget the impassioned speeches from his former mentor.

“Coach J. was like a father figure, especially with me living so far away. ... You’re not going to forget a person like that,” Dyson said.

Dyson, who averaged 7.1 points, has 339 career assists and is hoping to earn a spot among the top five in career assists at E&H.

The wisdom of current E&H head coach and former Wasps point guard Paul Russo has been vital to Dyson’s maturation.

“Coach Russo is different from Coach Johnson, but their bottom line of playing hard is the same,” Dyson said.
“I’m the only player on this year’s team what has been in the program all four years. A lot is expected of me.”

Dyson has tried to incorporate the teachings of both of his coaches.

“With Coach Johnson, it was about 110-percent effort. He wanted you to dive on the floor for loose balls, take charges and just do things that you never thought were possible.
“With Coach Russo, things are on a more personal level. He played point guard, he knows what the position is all about and he knows how I need to respond in certain situations.”

After four years of tough love, Dyson is eager to put his stamp on the Wasps. Dyson groomed his up-tempo game during physical sessions against talented older players at the Langley Air Force Base gym in Hampton, Va.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been a hard journey. But all the work has made me a better player and person,” Dyson said. “I’m trying to go out with a bang and be a rock for my teammates.”

Dyson feels it’s important to let the E&H underclassmen know what Wasps basketball is all about. He shares those lessons each summer with the players at Tabb High School.

“I’ve got to set a strong example for our young players and never let them slack,” Dyson said. “Looking back at my freshman year, I see now why Coach Johnson was so tough on me and I appreciate it.”
“I’ve seen a lot of ups and down here at Emory, but it’s made me stronger.”

Nickname: Wasps
Conference: Old Dominion Athletic
Head Coach: Paul Russo
2008-09 Record: 7-18, 3-15
2009-10 Record: 1-3, 0-1
Top Returnee: Josh Brown (6-6, Sr., 8.2 ppg., 4.5 rpg.); Terrance Grigg (6-5, Jr., 10.3 ppg., 54 percent FG); Bobby Stafford (5-11, Jr.); Josh Cunningham (6-4, Jr.)
Outlook: The Wasps must replace their top five scorers. From the first day of practice, Russo has stressed rebounding and defense. An athletic and deep cast should help in those areas. The pace on offense will be more controlled, but the Wasps will be able to outrun most foes. Grigg currently averages a team-best 18.5 points, while Dyson follows at 11.3 ppg. E&H was selected ninth in the ODAC preseason poll.

Nickname: Wasps
Conference: Old Dominion Athletic
2008-09 Record: 8-17, 6-14
2009-10 Record: 1-2, 1-0
Top Returnees: Sarah Petty (5-7, Sr.); Alex Lyons (5-10, Sr.); Baylie Snyder (5-7, Sr.); Brittany Rogers (5-6, Sr.)
Outlook: New head coach Stephen Kenner will rely on five seniors who have a range of talents. Lyons ranked 9th in ODAC rebounding last season (6.1 rpg.) and 14th in scoring (11.8 ppg). Petty led the conference with 5.3 assists per game and ranked 16th in scoring at 11.2 ppg. Both players are capable of taking over a game with their athletic ability. Kenner replaced former University of Tennessee point guard Joy Scruggs, who compiled a record of 384-320 over the past 28 seasons. The Wasps were picked eighth in the ODAC coaches poll.