ELKINS — Dillon Gash was thrust into the spotlight this season as a senior point guard for the Elkins’ boys basketball team.
He accepted the new role with open arms.
Overall, Elkins has struggled through a rebuilding season. With the majority of the starters gone from last year’s 17-win team, Gash was left behind to help the Elks — and their new crop of young players — through it all. And so far, despite just a 6-17 overall record and a third-place finish in the 3A-1 West Conference, he believes the results can be seen when looking beyond wins and losses.
“This season, it definitely can get frustrating at times and I feel like the team feeds off of me,” Gash said. “So if I’m frustrated out there then we’re going to have less success. So I have to remind myself to be that leader, because last year I didn’t have that role. I was more of a role player last year but this year, as a leader I feel like I try to take it on my shoulders.
“But I wouldn’t trade anything for this season. I love playing with these guys and it’s been a pretty good year regardless of the record.”
Elkins has one more shot at a trip to the state tournament as it faces Mansfield, the No. 2 seed from 3A-4 Conference, in Thursday’s 3A-1 Regional Tournament in Paris. Regardless of the outcome, the Elks know parting ways with their veteran leader won’t be easy. “You don’t find it very
often where your point guard is your leading scorer, and he’s also getting three to four assists per game,” Elkins coach Nate Smith said. “He’s just one of those guys who does it all.
“He’s one of our best defenders and he’s just a leader. He’s the guy who everybody else on our team looks to. And when he has confidence we’re a pretty good basketball team.”
Gash averages a team-high 14 points per game, to go along with four rebounds, two assists and 1.2 steals. More than numbers it is his presence on and off the court that have proven so important to the Elks’ growth this year.
“We’re playing two young sophomores in Brenton White and Walker Fallen and they hang out with him all the time,” Smith said. “Whether it’s on the basketball court or off, he’s just a great mentor to those guys and he’s really helped them come along.”