All-Area boys Player of the Year Bogdan Bliznyuk leaves big shoes to fill
By TJ Cotterill, The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"He goes through so many basketball shoes," Dima said. "Then you have to go online to get them and then they never fit right."
But if that's what helps Bogdan continue to average 19.9 points and six rebounds a game as the key player in
Bogdan,
But the 6-foot-5 senior forward knows he might not be here without the unconditional love and support of his brother.
"He has basically taken care of me," Bogdan said. "I look up to him a lot, and I want him to be proud of me, and I want my family to be proud."
Dima never played organized basketball past middle school. He attends all of Bogdan's games, pays for his cell phone, gas money, car insurance and even his monthly membership to the
It's as much a fatherly role as it is a relationship between brothers three years apart.
"He's just my other half," Dima said. "He's family. You do that for family. I'd just rather not buy myself something and get him something instead."
Both were born in Lutsk,
Their mother moved them to
Bogdan never picked up basketball in
Dima, meanwhile, stopped playing after eighth grade and dropped out of school that same year. He was working full-time in construction by age 16 to provide for the family.
His mom had plenty on her plate raising two boys while also caring for their grandma.
"It was hard for her to always provide for us, and it was a lot of stress on her," Bogdan said. "(Dima) really helped with that. It's not his duty, but he treats it like it's his responsibility since he is the oldest man in the family.
"I know he has put in so much for me to be successful. That just motivates me to work harder, to do everything right and to do enough to where the resources he's put into me are not wasted."
Dima has paved a better path for Bogdan. Since basketball here is kind of like backgammon back in
"They didn't understand permission slips and waivers," Dima said. "I had to beg my mom, and she finally let me play in the seventh grade."
Added Bogdan: "(Dima) was the first to play and my mom wasn't always that supportive of it. I remember he had to walk home from practices sometimes. For me, it was easier because he got my family used to it."
The only thing that has set Bogdan back is his mouth. He was born with a gap in his upper jaw. One of his multiple surgeries after moving to
His most recent jaw surgery kept Bogdan out for half of last summer's AAU season. The half-season was his first club basketball experience since fifth grade.
"I think it's a big reason he is so under-recruited," Burkett said. "This kid is an (NCAA) Division I player. If they don't get this kid, they missed. Whoever gets him gets a steal."
After every surgery, Dima was there to motivate Bogdan back into shape and push him to improve.
Bogdan's goal is to play Div. I basketball, and has offers from
"I tell (Dima) all the time, 'I admire so much what you do for your family,' " Burkett said. "I think it is extremely unique how close-knit they are."
Dima's generosity extends beyond Bogdan to the rest of the Beamer squad. He has bought the players socks over the past two years and treated them to meals at Applebee's after big games.
"He's like a brother to us, too," Beamer guard
Bogdan has upped his scoring after leading the team with 15.1 points a game last season. He refined his ball-handling and has made almost as many 3-pointers this year (53) as he took all of last season (58).
With an even better Bogdan and a solid team around him, the Titans earned their first SPSL South regular-season and West Central/Southwest bidistrict titles this season.
He hopes to bring the school its first state title.
And Dima will be there, like always, to support him.
"I feel like I've put in a lot of work to be successful and I feel like I'm reaping the benefits of that," Bogdan said. "But the route I took to get here, it's pretty unique. My family and my brother and my mom -- it would mean a lot to me to win, especially for them."
Wilson
Forward, 6-6, sophomore
Does Anderson even realize how good he can be? When he wants to, the all-3A
What coach
Stadium
Forward, 6-6, senior
No player shouldered more of his team's responsibilities than Brown, who not only was the unanimous 4A Narrows League Player of the Year (18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds per game), but he also led the Tigers to their first league title since 1990-91. The team's best ballhandler, scorer and rebounder.
What coach
Timberline
Forward, 6-7, senior
What more can be said about the 3A Narrows Player of the Year (19.0 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 blocked shots per game) and McDonald's All-America nominee? He's a spectacular playmaker who is almost too selfless. Signed with the
What coach
Lincoln
Guard, 6-1, senior
Yes, he missed more than half the season transferring back from Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Even in a reduced role, he was the Abes' best player -- 13.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. One of the area's all-time greats is headed to
What coach
JAWAN STEPNEY
Kentridge
Guard, 6-3, senior
He is the whiz-pass wizard -- and the most electrifying player in the SPSL North, averaging 20.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. A three-time, all-SPSL North player, he was named the Player of the Year this season. Has 1,306 career points heading into the state tournament.
What coach
Player of the year:
Coach of the year:
ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM
AR'MOND DAVIS, Foss, G, 6-5, sr.
JAQUORI McLAUGHLIN, Peninsula, G, 6-3, so.
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