ONE-HAND WONDER: Dalkie boosts Buckeyes’ offence

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This article was published 14/12/2024 (277 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The ball hasn’t even left Kieran Dalkie’s hand and the bench is on its feet.

Hands up, the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes backups beat the officials to the three-pointer signal. They know it’s going in.

The Grade 12 guard single-handedly inspires his teammates and everyone around, as soon as they notice he doesn’t have a right hand.

“I’ve played with most of these guys since Grade 9. They have so much trust in me, I have so much trust in them. Honestly, it’s become a family now,” Dalkie said.

“Every single time I see a picture of me shooting a three, they’re always in the back with their hands up screaming. It’s a good feeling knowing they have trust in me to hit shots in big moments.”

Dalkie hit one triple in the first half and another in the third quarter to ignite a big Buckeyes run, helping them to a 74-67 victory over the Vincent Massey Vikings in Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational basketball action at Massey on Friday morning.

It was one of the most exciting games of the weekend so far, as the Buckeyes nailed two triples to lead 65-60 entering target-score time, meaning the first team to 74 — nine more than the leading team — wins.

Miles Mac overcame a raucous Massey crowd and pulled out its first win of the tournament.

“It’s a bit crazy to adjust to,” Dalkie said. “This is our third game of the season so it’s definitely our toughest challenge with the opposing crowd screaming when they keep hitting shots but we pulled through, stayed together.

“If we go on a run and we’re able to kind of talk smack and quiet the crowd, it’s probably the best feeling.”

Dalkie has always been an active kid. He started with hockey and has also played some football. He said back in Grade 3, he was one of the top scorers in the province in ball hockey. He started with a prosthetic arm attached to his stick but didn’t like it, so he just tucked it under his armpit.

The six-foot-one guard started playing organized basketball in Grade 4, so he’s had plenty of time to learn how to maximize his potential. While he said driving to his right, understandably, isn’t among his strong suits, he has enough tools to impact games.

Miles Mac coach Jonathan Janzen agrees, not just in words but in his actions by putting Dalkie on the floor for significant minutes.

“He’s a phenomenal shooter, he shoots it with confidence, absolute green light,” Janzen said.

“The growth he’s shown and the maturity from then to now, he’s an amazing young man who doesn’t let any adversity get to him. He competes, he’s just an awesome guy to have around and he’s a ball player. He’s not just a good guy to have around, he can play.”

Dalkie not only had to overcome his physical limitation, but push through the disappointment of not making the varsity roster as a full-time player in his Grade 11 year.

When Janzen told him he’d be a practice player, Dalkie said he’d change that by the end of the season.

“Within a month or two I knew at some point we were going to give him a jersey,” Janzen said. “He was working harder than everyone because he knew he had to, he didn’t let that stop him, he just kept competing.

“I knew coming into this season, he was going to be part of the team and have an influential part.”

Dalkie still has his right upper arm and is as smooth as many two-handed players as a catch-and-shoot guy. He reads passes well and moves to put his body in position, catching with his left hand but using his right arm to control the ball and quickly put it in position to let it fly.

“There’s no hesitation. I know my game, I know what I can and can’t make,” Dalkie said. “I practise threes constantly, I’m always shooting so I have no hesitation in shots I’ve taken thousands of times.

“I always feel limited because obviously I have a limitation, but I’ve grown as a person, as I’m getting older, as I’m able to cope and find a way to get around the limitation, I just breeze over the limitation and don’t use it as an excuse. I feel I’m able to compete at just as high a level as someone with two hands.”

• • •

Coincidentally, Dalkie’s not the only BSSI athlete missing a hand.

Portage Trojans junior Brayden Prince was also born without a right hand. He started playing soccer but realized he could still hang on the hardcourt in Grade 8 and hoops has been No. 1 ever since.

“Basketball’s my main sport because I know I can do it, I know I can shoot … I know what I’m capable of,” Prince said.

“Ever since I figured out I could do it … I’ve been grinding and trying to keep going and try and get better.”

“Playing against my guys here, I can get by them. Knowing I can do that really motivates me.”

Like Dalkie, Prince wasn’t simply handed a spot on the varsity team. The five-foot-11 guard earned it.

“Brayden works hard, he wants to be better, he’s driven to be better and he’s figured out what he can do and he can’t do,” head coach Darin Arnold said. “It’s good to see that he doesn’t shut himself down. He wants to push himself and wants to be better.

“He’s a good shooter and that’s why we took him on the team.”

Prince may not play major minutes on a deep Portage team, but the one sure thing is he’ll make the most of every opportunity he gets. He hit back-to-back threes in his team’s last pool-play game against the host Neelin Spartans on Friday, drawing roars from the crowd.

The Grade 11 guard has one message for kids with similar limitations.

“Nothing’s impossible,” he said. “Luke 1:37: For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Just push yourself, just put your mind to it. Whatever you put your mind to, you can do it.”

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