Dorian Palma plays basketball for the Blackwell Maroons. He has put in a lot of work over his career and has seen improvement and growth, but he is not done yet. He is looking to continue to get better and says that it takes a lot to reach your full potential.

“There is more than just hard work that goes into being a great athlete,” he stated. “You need to also have dedication, heart, and strength. The mental aspect of your game is just as important as the physical.”

A sophomore at Blackwell High School, Palma is also a member of the baseball team. While he has invested a lot into his athletic career, he says he has had some help from some important people in his life.

“My friends, family, and coaches have been important to my success as an athlete and a person,” Dorian stated. “My family and friends are always supporting me and cheering me on. My coaches and teammates are there in practice and at games helping me to play at my best. Also, my basketball coach, coach Hankins was my teacher and is my basketball coach, and he taught me not just basketball but life.”

The teammates that Palma competes alongside are more than just teammates, they are also friends on and off the court. They are all there for each other and work together well.

“The teammate I like to go up against the most at practice is Charlie Lux,” Dorian said. “He pushes the whole team to be our best. Warren Gerboth is probably the most underrated player on the team. Not many big men get the appreciation they deserve but Warren does a great job for our team.”

Terril Hankins, Blackwell boy’s basketball coach, says that Dorian is a great kid and plays an important job on the team.

“He does all the little things that are not always noticed,” the coach said. “He was the sixth man on the team last year as a freshman. He is an undersized post but makes up for it with his quickness and the team flows better when he is on the floor. For him, it does not matter who is scoring the points.”