Developing his game

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Cameron Darby had a feeling he wasn’t going to make the cut.

Standing 5 feet, 6 inches, the then Lakewood Ranch High freshman just didn’t measure up against the other talent surrounding the Mustangs’ program. He lacked the size, speed and athleticism that many of the other players, who also were competing for a spot in Lakewood’s starting lineup, possessed.

Recognizing he hadn’t quite developed into his own made it easier for Darby to accept it when he didn’t initially make the Mustangs’ roster.

Following his first high school tryout, Darby had a decision to make. He could walk away from the game entirely or he could take on the role of a student assistant. Darby chose the latter and spent the duration of his freshman season sweeping floors before practice, working the game clock, recording the game and keeping stats, among other tasks.

“The love for the game — I love basketball,” Darby says. “That’s what kept me around.”

Nicknamed “The Goon Squad,” Darby and the other student assistants served as a practice squad for the Mustangs, providing the players with extra energy. In addition, Darby would spend time working on individual drills after practice in the hopes of improving his game.

“I was a little underdeveloped and raw,” Darby says. “The drills they were doing helped me make big gains.”

The position was anything but glamorous, but it reminded Darby of the importance of hard work and what it means to be a team player. He was able to contribute to the team in other ways while strengthening his own skill set at the same time.

“(Coach Jeremy Schiller) has a lot of expectations for both, but I would say being a team manager is definitely harder,” Darby says. “When you’re out there playing, you’re having fun while you’re doing it. But when you’re a team manager, you’re trying to reach a goal that you’ll hopefully get to by the next year.”

Three years later, Darby, now 6-foot-5, is an integral part of Lakewood’s varsity lineup. He led the Mustangs to a 6-1 (2-0 Class 7A-District 10) record so far this season with a month and a half left to play before the district tournament.

“I’m really proud of him,” Schiller says. “He had a choice his freshman year, and he decided to stay and help (the program). He chose to work hard and obtain his goal. He’s exceeded all of our expectations. Going from a kid who couldn’t make the team to someone who can now dunk with two hands is pretty impressive.”

Heading into his sophomore season, Darby, who had spent time playing with Lakewood’s summer JV league, gained a newfound confidence. Unlike his freshman year, Darby wasn’t nervous before his second tryout, which ultimately paid off.

Darby’s confidence and increased development landed him a spot on the Mustangs’ JV squad.

“I learned a sort of patience,” says Darby, who grew 11 inches between his freshman and sophomore seasons. “If you just wait, your hard work will pay off some time or another.”

Darby had what he describes as his breakout season that same year. He began scoring baskets with ease.

At that point, Darby realized he was capable of eventually being a leader for the team. Darby made Lakewood’s varsity squad as a junior where he averaged seven points and five rebounds per game.

Darby finished the season as the Mustangs’ leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, while helping lead Lakewood to a third-place finish in the district.

Darby has been battling a nagging hip injury this season but that hasn’t kept him away from the court.

“I don’t want to miss any games,” Darby says. “I don’t think about it when I’m out there playing.”

Darby finished with a team-high 16 points in the Mustangs’ 77-49 victory over Bayshore Dec. 3 and added 11 more in Lakewood’s 60-49 district victory over North Port Dec. 9.

In his final season, Darby, who already has received an offer to play basketball for Greensboro College, in North Carolina, is looking to lead Lakewood to its first district championship in 10 years.

“It would mean the world,” Darby says. “It means a lot to be able to say I play for the Mustangs and to be able to wear the green, white and black,” Darby says. “It’s enjoyable to play here.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].