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Battling adversity, Coleman-Newsome back for Carroll boys

12/17/2021, 11:15pm EST
By Sam Istvan

Sam Istvan (@sistvan_14)
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After a freshman year in which he burst onto the scene and became the starting point guard for Catholic League contender Archbishop Carroll, it seemed life decided to throw everything it could at Dean Coleman-Newsome.

Before he could get his sophomore year off the ground, Coleman-Newsome found out in October 2020 that he had a lesion in one knee, an injury that would require surgery. While recovering from that surgery, an MRI revealed he had a lesion in the other knee as well. Coleman-Newsome underwent a second surgery in January, burying any hope of reaching the court that season.

Dean Coleman-Newsome stands in a gym

Dean Coleman-Newsome (above) missed his sophomore season with two knee injuries requiring surgery. (Phot: Ari Rosenfeld/Elite HS Scouting)

Now a junior, Coleman-Newsome did not sugarcoat it when asked how he felt after receiving that brutal one-two punch of bad news: “Devastated. That was one of my lowest lows.”

The talented point guard, who says that being on the basketball court is his “favorite thing to do,” went to extreme measures to cope with the pain of not being able to play. Perhaps the most extreme? Not watching basketball at all.

Mired in one of his toughest times, unable to even stomach seeing basketball on TV, Coleman-Newsome started the long, daunting road back to the court with baby steps.

“My dad would send me clips and different things that I should try to translate into my game and then I’d start watching the games, start watching film,” Coleman-Newsome said.

As Coleman-Newsome eased his way back into watching basketball, he also began rehabbing, heading to LA Fitness, where he worked on his body with a strength and conditioning coach. When the summer rolled around, he could be found shooting from a chair during Carroll’s practices.

“It just kept progressing slowly,” said Coleman-Newsome. “It was hard because you couldn't really see the progress in the moment. As I kept progressing, my body got better. I got more in shape. Then, when I was finally able to get back on the court, everything was already rolling and I was prepared.”

A patient Coleman-Newsome finally healed and regained strength in his legs, getting his chance to compete on a basketball court again in a summer scrimmage against Friends Central. Yet, the junior was not out of the woods.

Only a couple plays into the game, he got hurt again.

Asked if the quick injury upon his return planted more doubts in his mind about making a successful return to the court, Coleman-Newsome replied, “Doubts, those are in everybody's mind. But you just push those off to the side, and you just focus on, I’m here in this moment. What can I do to get better, get back? “

Knocked down by injury the third time since his freshman year, the resilient Carroll point guard got up a fourth time and, now, he has found his way back to the court and to the helm of the offense.

“[Playing again] feels amazing because at a certain point, way back when they first told me, I had doubts I’m not playing again and different stuff like that,” said Coleman-Newsome. “It just feels great that I made it through, I pushed through. And it’s just that feeling when you finally accomplish something that you've been working at for so long. That’s a great feeling.”

Now, Carroll’s point guard is trying to regain his confidence while showcasing what he learned during the year he spent on the sidelines.

“[The season’s] been up and down actually,” Coleman-Newsome said. “Getting confidence is the hardest part. Trying to be confident in my body, my game.”

On Friday night, the junior flashed plenty of confidence, pouring in 17 points (8-13 FGs) while running the show for Carroll in a dominant 67-28 win over Central. Coleman-Newsome found his backcourt mate, star sophomore Moses Hipps, early and often, as Hipps led all scorers with 19 points.

Coleman-Newsome looked in command the whole night, a more mature and in control version of his freshman self, which he attributed to film he broke down during his time away from the court.

“[The game]’s a lot slower,” said Coleman-Newsome. “It slowed down a lot, because with the film that I watched, I see the different things that are open for me. And the different ways that I can get people involved.”

The injuries and rehab process have taught Coleman-Newsome plenty more than just how to be a better point guard, though.

“It's kind of taught me everything because my outlook on life is very different,” said Coleman-Newsome. “I’m just grateful for every little moment.”

At the end of a long, arduous process, it’s safe to say the junior has a seasoned approach to dealing with adversity.

“Being able to, when the adversity hits, not even bat an eye, just keep going,” said Coleman-Newsome. “Keep pushing forward. That's the main thing my mom always instilled in me: Just keep going forward and not to worry about what's happening around you. Keep pushing forward because you're going to get to the other side at the end of the day.”

Now, on the other side of the adversity-laden path back to the court, Coleman-Newsome is confident that he’s ready for whatever else life decides to throw at him.

“Being able to get through [the injuries], I feel like the basketball part is easy. Everything else is gonna come because if I can get through that, I feel like I can do everything.”

By Quarter
Carroll:   22 | 12 |  17  | 16 || 67
Central:   7  |  6  |  10  |  5  || 28

Shooting
Carroll: 26-52 FG (3-18 3PT), 12-15 FT
Central: 10-41 FG (0-6 3PT), 8-16 FT

Scoring
Carroll: Hipps 19, Coleman-Newsome 17, Smith 9, West 7, Alleyne 6, Ivery 4, Deegan 2, Monastero 2, Rogers 1

Central: Morris-Louis 10, Kelly 6, Kowland 4, Gerwer 2, Glaser 2, Ghohestani 2, McCall 1, Dawson 1


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