Security Federal Athlete of the Week: Dec. 5-11

Partnering with Security Federal, the Warren County Sports Authority will honor a standout local athlete each week. The WCSA and the Friendliest Bank in Town love seeing great athletic achievement and there are plenty to pick from every week in Warren County. From winter to summer, spring to fall, and on courts, fields, diamonds, dance floors and anywhere else an athlete can succeed, Security Federal and the Sports Authority are going to be on the lookout for the best of the best!

Dibrell Wildcat Chance Whitlock

Every basketball coach works tirelessly to drill down the fundamentals, build skills and improve their players in every way possible. But they all know the old saying too – You can’t teach size.

Basketball is a big man’s sport and nobody in Warren County elementary basketball is bigger than Dibrell’s Chance Whitlock.

There is still plenty to be decided on the hardwood around Warren County this winter, but the Wildcats right now have a cheat code at the center of their program. Whitlock is a 6-foot-3 mismatch on both ends of the floor – a human eraser on the back of the Dibrell defense that also uses his length and athleticism to get easy baskets in the half court.

Whitlock is averaging a league-best 18.5 points per game through two games, including absolutely torching Centertown’s defense last Thursday night in the first quarter. Whitlock scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the first six minutes, part of a 51-30 victory that left Dibrell 2-0 after the first week.

Whitlock also had 17 points in a win over Eastside last week, cementing the Wildcats as one of the teams to beat this year – if their run to the Morrison Ruritan championship hadn’t already solidified their place at the top.

Dibrell coach Dustin Curtis has watched Whitlock grow as a player, with his immense talent on the court only overshadowed by his humbleness off it.

“First of all, Chance is a great young man off the court - Always yes sir, no sir and never asks why, just does what he is asked and then some. He loves the game and is always wanting to get better. One of his neighbors told me that all he ever hears outside is a basketball bouncing,” said Curtis.

Having Whitlock eases Curtis’ stress in forming game plans. He can make the center the focal point on both ends, knowing his size can both limit other team’s scoring and boost his Wildcats’ ability to get buckets.

“Of course, his size is a big help for us. On defense, we try to funnel penetration to him – it’s hard to get a shot over 6-foot-3, especially when he plays vertically,” said Curtis. “Offensively, we try to play through him. We’re trying to get our players to understand when Chance touches the ball, good things happen for everyone. If the defense collapses on Chance, it leaves our shooters open. If they man up on him, I like our chances – no pun intended.

“I think he’s got a bright future here in Warren County at the next level.”

Whitlock and the Wildcats will be back in action tonight, Dec. 13 vs Boyd. It will be their final game before Christmas as Thursday’s anticipated matchup with Irving College has been moved to Jan. 11.