Great Dennis Gagai article by Billy Bruce

[Pocket Aces]

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/ohi ... 1470030745



Gagai becomes threat for the Norse
Jan 16, 2008 @ 11:38 PM
By BILLY BRUCE
The Lawrence Herald
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Trying to get Dennis Gagai to talk about himself is like trying to bounce a bowling ball. Fortunately, the basketball he spends most of his time dribbling usually does his talking for him.

Gagai, the all-time leading scorer at Ironton High School with 1,595 career points, took his game to a higher level upon his 2006 graduation. Following a one-year stint as an invited walk-on at West Virginia University, the former first team All-Ohio standout and 2006 Southeast Ohio District Player of the Year transferred to Northern Kentucky University, where he instantly became an offensive threat for the Norse.

Last Saturday, the 6-foot-4 freshman shooting guard assumed a leadership role in the clutch for the Division II Norse, scoring the game's final eight points, including two 3-point shots, in the closing seconds of a win at St. Joseph's, Ind. He finished with 14 points while leading his team to the victory.

NKU coach Dave Bezold is thrilled to have added such a weapon to his arsenal. "He's been a very important piece to our success so far," Bezold said of Gagai, adding that the Norse, 11-2, is currently in first place in the East Division of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "Dennis is very capable every night of scoring points."

Recalling the St. Joseph's game, Bezold gave Gagai credit for putting his team over the top. "We couldn't get it together in that game; couldn't make consecutive shots. In the last minute, he hits two 3-pointers to give us a lead with 20 seconds left. Then, he hit two free throws at the end. He won the game for us right there."

According to another former Fighting Tiger, thriving when the game is on the line is Gagai's calling card. "I used to call him 'Mr. Clutch,' " said Brent McBride, a teammate of Gagai's on the 2005 Ohio state runner-up team. "He hit probably five or six shots that won games for us that season. It doesn't matter what sport, he's the most clutch player I've ever seen."

Two more former teammates at IHS, Joe Zornes and Michael Phillips, noted that Gagai's presence in their line-up made the entire team better. "He was a heck of a player to play with," Zornes said, laughing as if mystified by Gagai's ability. "He definitely took the pressure off of the rest of us. He's the best shooter I've ever seen." Phillips added, "He was definitely our leader. He's the real deal."

Speaking of that spectacular 2005 season, where Ironton finished 26-1, Gagai reminisced about the quality of the competition in the title game. "That was an experience I'll never forget," he said of playing against North College Hill mega-stars O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker.

Gagai finished that 71-65 setback, Ironton's only loss of the season, with 22 points, the same amount as Mayo. "That game still crosses my mind," he said, obviously proud of his team's performance against an opponent stacked with at least two future NBA draft picks. "We took them down to the wire and had many chances to beat them," he recalled. "That was the biggest game of my high school career."

Although his college career is only in its infancy, Gagai has already had some big games on that level as well. He has been the Norse's leading scorer in four of their 13 games thus far, while putting up 130 total points, third best on his team despite ranking seventh in minutes played. Gagai also carries a phenomenal .547 3-point shot percentage, nailing 29 of 53 shots from beyond the arch.

Despite not yet being a starter, Gagai is used like one in every Norse game. Bezold noted that his young shooter is learning more about the NKU system every day. "The way we play, it isn't easy to pick up on," Bezold said. "But, he's getting more and more comfortable. It's great for us to be able to use probably the best shooter on the team off the bench."

Back home in Ironton, John and Sheila Gagai are very proud of their son. Sheila can barely talk about Dennis's achievements in life without getting choked up. "I get nervous for him and then I'm thrilled for him," she said.

Both parents said they are most proud of their son for how he has handled success through the years. "I'm proud of him because he's not cocky," Sheila said. "He knows his talent is God-given and I think his belief in God has kept him grounded."

John was on the same track as his wife. "What I'm proud about is he's really modest about his abilities and doesn't pound his chest," John said. "His accomplishments have brought us great joy, but I'm proud of the way he's handled himself."

Gagai, in turn, is proud of his family. "I admire both of my parents and my brother (Nick), because of all the things they went through to get me where I am," he said. "If it wasn't for those three, I wouldn't be here. I am very proud of them."

His pride doesn't stop with his family. Gagai credited two Ironton coaches for instilling in him the desire to play at his best. "Coach (Bart) Burcham was my junior high coach and that is where it really started," he said. "I don't think I've ever met a coach as competitive as him. It seemed like his motto was 'win or die,' and it showed in practice."

Current IHS coach Mark LaFon also made a lasting impression on Gagai. "I couldn't tell you how he has impacted my basketball career," he said fondly of his former coach. "He's a player's coach -- a smart coach -- the kind of coach you want to have as long as you play."

Gagai also mentioned another special coach who continues to help him excel in an entirely different sport. John Gagai, a former two-time All Southern Conference golfer at Marshall University, went to the U.S. Amateur tournament in 1981 and survived the first cut, only to later lose in match play. His name is synonymous with golf in the local area.

"I've always wanted to be a professional golfer," Dennis said, adding that he may attempt to participate in the sport when his basketball days are over. "It's in my blood with my dad being such a great golfer and teaching me everything I need to know."

According to John, his son has as much ability driving a Titleist as he does dribbling a Wilson. "He can hit the ball 350 yards off the tee," John said. "He has way more ability than I ever had. He's just scratching the surface."

Sheila is elated about Dennis's athleticism, but her greatest pride centers around her son's involvement at church. "After they lost to Wheelersburg (playoffs, 2006), he had to be altar boy the next day at mass," she recalled. "He didn't really feel like it because he was so down, but he did it anyway. A lot of the kids couldn't believe he was there that day."

She also mentioned that although Dennis began attending Ironton public schools in seventh grade, he continued to take Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes along with his former classmates at the private St. Joseph High School, attending classes every Sunday after church. "He stayed with it, along with (fellow Ironton transfer and current Youngstown State Penguin) Andy Colegrove," Sheila recalled. "They followed it all the way through to graduation. I was so proud of him for that."

Belief in his creator and belief in himself have created great opportunities for the former IHS standout.

Give John and Sheila Gagai an assist for every point he scores.

[Focused]

Great article on an equally great young man... Congratulatios to Dennis on all his very deserving accomplishments.

[IronTigerMum]

Great read! Keep up the good work Dennis and count me among those glad you completed your CCD! Another local role model for our younguns.

[ItownHosscat]

Great story about a great kid,and yes Mum he is one to be looked up to by the young-uns.
Yet another feel good story about one of our locals.
Keep up the good work Bill.

[ballparent]

Great to hear that Dennis is doing so well, he's a great kid that deserves it. And yet another great story from Billy.

[RiverRatRay]

Add my name to the list that is thrilled to see Dennis do well. A great young man from a fine family. Keep up the good work Dennis and thanks Billy for keeping all of us informed about the local young folks.

[BubbleGumTiger]

Another nice one by Billy about Dennis......and good luck to Dennis....