By Ken Hansard
Carthage High School senior shooting guard and student-athlete Dylan Pugh spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.
VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Pugh: My goals for this year were simply to be better than the year before. We lost two huge pieces to our team last year in Justin Ray and Jack Ryder, so I knew that I would have to step up my game just like everyone else. I am usually one of the smallest guys on the court, but I pride myself on playing bigger than I am. I want to get every rebound and make every hustle play on the court. My main role coming into the year was to be a shooter, so most of the off-season was focused on improving my shot. Overall, I am very happy with the way our season has gone and how our team has played together.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite memory about your association with this team?
Pugh: My favorite memories are of all the overnight trips we have taken throughout my career. Spending the weekend hanging out and playing basketball with my teammates is always a memorable experience. We’ve had both good and bad tournaments, but we always end up getting closer as a team after these trips.
VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Pugh: My twin brother, Colt Pugh, has left the biggest impression on me. We have played basketball together our whole lives, and he has always pushed me to become a better player. When I may not want to get some extra shots up, he’s pushing me to get in the gym. We have our moments where we clash, just as all brothers do, but in the end, he’s always supporting me, and he is someone I strive to be like.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being a part of this team?
Pugh: This team is one of the most unselfish and well-rounded teams I have been a part of. Any guy can go off on any given night, and when a guy has the hot hand, our team feeds it. No one is concerned with “getting theirs,” it’s just team basketball.
VYPE SPORTS: What clubs, community groups, or campus groups are you involved with and why?
Pugh: I have been a part of a youth group at my church for as long as I can remember. God is the most important aspect of my life, and the guys in that group are some of my best friends and have helped me grow in my spiritual life. I am also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students at my school.
VYPE SPORTS: What accolades (in any sport or non-athletic activity) are you most proud of?
Pugh: I’ve made the all-tournament team for our home tournament these past two years, and I was also on the all-tournament team at the Jenks / Union Tournament this year. As far as academics go, I have been in the top five percent of my class all four years of high school.
VYPE SPORTS: What has this sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Pugh: This sport has taught me so much. Teamwork is the biggest one. If you don’t trust your teammates and work well together, your team is never going to be as good as it can be. It has also taught me the value of selflessness. If you try to do everything yourself, you are going to get shut down quickly. And the last thing it has taught me is just to be confident in yourself. If you start doubting yourself when you miss a shot or make a bad play, you’re going to continue to play poorly. You just have to keep playing and forget any mistakes you have made.
VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
Pugh: To do all that you do for Christ – not for people. This applies to all aspects of my life, and the goal of whatever I do should be to bring glory to God. This is the case whether I am having the best game of my life or the worst. It is of primary importance to treat people how God would – despite the ups and downs.
VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
Pugh: My dad inspires me more than anyone. He is an amazing father and would do anything for his children. He has been my travel coach since I was in kindergarten and gave me my passion for basketball. He will drop anything he is doing if I need someone to rebound for me in the driveway. On top of all of this, he is one of the strongest Christians I know and is someone I strive to be when I am older.
VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shout out or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Pugh: I want to thank my parents and siblings for enduring the hours and hours of basketball I have played throughout my career and for supporting me along the way. I also want to thank Coach Morris for helping lead and guide me throughout my high school basketball career.
