Cape Coral High School’s basketball team ended with one of its best seasons yet. At 25-5, it made it to districts, number 1 in 5A District 11. They’ve accomplished a lot.
With recruiters watching, many of these players, including Dylan Bandale, Isaiah Derkevics, and Caden Voltaire, have had the opportunity to get college offers.
Dylan Bandale, a senior on the basketball team, at the height of 6’1 has played position wing. Bandale has been playing basketball since fifth grade and with all of his friends playing basketball, he also decided to play it.
At the moment, Bandale has attained three college offers. “I feel beyond grateful for these opportunities colleges have given me. I’m so thankful for my coach who did everything to get me where I am, including bringing me up and motivating me when I didn’t feel like it,” Bandale said.
Bandale also mentioned if there was anything he could redo, it would work harder and start early. Bandale felt he could’ve done better and worked harder during freshman summer going into sophomore year. Bandale’s best advice would be to stay in the gym, not get caught up in other things, not give up, and not care what others say about you.
Isaiah Derkevics, a senior on the basketball team at a height of 6’8, played in both shooting guard and wing position and has been playing basketball since fifth grade. “I decided to play basketball because I found love in it when I first started playing. I got more dedicated to it as I started.” Derkevics has five college offers at the moment and is grateful he has been given these opportunities and thankful for everyone who has helped him along the way.
On days Derkevics did not want to practice, he engorged himself to, cause in the end he knew it would pay off. “I wish I took school more seriously, early on and it probably would have helped me in the long run,” Derkevics said. “My best advice is to start at an early age. I think I definitely got more benefits from that but at the same time, it’s never too late to start. You have to put in so much work, practice on days you don’t want to, and remember the goal you’re working towards.”
Caden Voltaire, a senior on the basketball team at a height of 6’6, has played power forward and wing positions and has been playing basketball his whole life. He decided to play basketball as he was interested in it and then fell in love with the sport.
“I worked out on late nights, 3 am when no one was up. I would be up working, gaining and bettering my skills,” Voltaire said. There isn’t anything Voltaire said that he would redo, he believes he has given his 100% and is happy where he has ended up, and what he has done has gotten him where he is now. With his hard work, Voltaire has gotten around four college offers.
“My advice is if you want something and you know you want it go for it don’t hold back don’t second guess yourself. You have to chase it, even when no one believes in you, things you can’t do it and talks done on you you got to go for it and believe, work hard,” Voltaire said.
Their coaches are sad to see these talented players leave but excited to see where they head in this new time of their lives. They hope they succeed in what they pick and support them.
