Just like on the football field where he earned co-defensive lineman of the year in the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division and was crowned homecoming king, senior William Pope has thrived at Shawnee.
Like those winding roads taking travelers through towns such as Camden and Gratis, Pope’s story also has a little twist. Pope, who is black, transferred from Dunbar — and passed on a chance to possibly win a Division II state basketball title — to a school where he knew few people and which also happens to be predominantly white.
“I didn’t even think about it like that. I just wanted to see what I could do if I came out there to an atmosphere where I didn’t know a lot of people, smaller classrooms and more hands-on teaching,” said Pope, who made the move with the encouragement and support of his parents, Elbert and Sylvia Pope.
“It’s not that Preble Shawnee is a better school than Dunbar. Dunbar is a great school. It’s just that I knew a lot of people at Dunbar, so it was kind of hard for me to concentrate.”
Friends ’till the end
Dylan Brown first met Pope through AAU basketball as teammates.
They’ve since become brothers.
Brown, the only child of Joe and Briana Brown, often discussed future plans with Pope. Those talks on bus rides or between games routinely focused on college.
“I always asked (Dylan) what college he was looking at, and he’ll say Miami or something,” Pope said. “He was like, ‘Well, Preble Shawnee is known for graduating 100 percent seniors every year.’ Just stuff like that. We kept talking. It just evolved over time.”
As those talks continued the idea of going to school together — and as a bonus, playing basketball together their senior year — gained momentum.
There was plenty of room at the Brown’s house, known unofficially as the Preble Shawnee Arrows’ team hangout with four, five or six kids there every weekend.
Pope — the second youngest of five kids — had the blessing of his parents, and the Popes transferred legal guardianship to the Brown family, who already considered William a part of their family.
And perhaps best of all, Dylan and William seemed to bring out the best in each other.
Making the grade
It’s not uncommon for student-athletes to transfer to better their chances at a college athletic scholarship. Rarely, though, does it happen for academics.
Pope stressed the problem wasn’t Dunbar or the Dayton Public Schools system, but more his own lack of focus.
He felt he needed fewer distractions in his final year and wanted to get out of his comfort zone and challenge himself. Since transferring, Pope has raised his grade-point average from 2.5 to 3.3.
“To bring Pope in was not to produce additional basketball recognition for Preble Shawnee,” said Briana Brown. “Our whole focus is he wants to go to college. He knows Dylan is going to college, and that’s our mind-set. You play basketball, but you also strive to get your education.”
Talk to his basketball coach Roger Ellis and his Preble Shawnee teachers, and they’ll tell you Dylan Brown is a soft-spoken, hard-working student. That’s one of the positives that drew Pope to Brown.
“Dylan is kind of like a sponge,” said government and personal finance teacher Mike O’Diam. “He soaks up everything. I think maybe there is a positive influence between the two.”
Added Pope: “Dylan is a great person to be around. I can’t describe another player that’s so passionate about the game and that wants to succeed in life. He’s always pushing me and him. Anything we want to do in life all we have to do is work hard and go get it.”
Books and baskets
That has applied to the basketball court, too. The Arrows, who already had a veteran team returning, are chasing a league title at 8-3 overall and 5-1 in the SWBL Buckeye Division. Brown is the outside shooter, averaging 15.8 points per game. Pope — at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds — is the power inside, averaging 17.5 PPG and 9.8 RPG.
Pope’s parents attend his games. They also constantly text, and Pope routinely visits Dayton on weekends.
“My mom and dad, it was a hard decision for them,” Pope said. “But they thought whatever was in my best interest was best.”
When their games don’t conflict, Pope tries to make the Dunbar Wolverines’ games.
“I want to say the best of luck to Dunbar. I hope they take (the state title),” Pope said. “If we get put out early in the playoffs, then I’ll be there rooting them on. They have a great coaching staff over there, so I’m pretty sure they’ll do good.”
Learning experience
Pope moved in with the Browns in March 2009. It’s been a learning experience for everyone, especially considering Pope loves practical jokes.
One of his most recent?
“A week ago, he had fake blood in his mouth and he was acting like he was vomiting in the toilet,” Brown said with a smile during a break at a recent basketball practice.
“I walked in, and my friends were like, ‘Well, he’s been doing it for two hours.’ They did that to me. I’m trying to think of something (to get him back).”
As for Pope? He’s expanding his musical tastes, even country music.
“A little bit,” Pope said, laughing. “I came out here and listened to The Fray, but they’re a pretty good band.”
Promising future
The chances of Brown and Pope playing college basketball together are slim, though there are colleges that have interest in both.
Just having that option is a victory.
Teachers and administrators at Preble Shawnee say having Pope around also is a win-win situation for them, helping their students to expand their environment before heading out into the real world.
“Considering the area, you might think it would be a narrow-minded, minimal-tolerance school,” said Felicia Chelgren, Pope’s Speech teacher and a Preble Shawnee graduate.
“But these kids, because they are so eager to know other people outside this small area, new students are embraced in a big way. It’s really cool to see our kids be so nice to new people.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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