
VYPE: After winning a state title last year, did this year feel like your “prove it” year?
Dayton Forsythe: It’s funny you said “prove it” because we had a sign in our locker room this year that says that. That was our motto all year. Coach [Jeff] Edmonson brought out a sign in the first week of practice that said “prove it.” The whole year, we were working to show people that we weren’t a fluke and our coaches did an incredible job all year of keeping us locked in and focused on the goal which was going back to back.
VYPE: You led Dale to become the first small school team in the modern era to win the Tournament of Champions. Did you have extra motivation before that tournament to disprove your doubters? How did it feel when the final buzzer sounded?
DF: Yes, we felt like that tournament was a great chance to prove against really good competition that being a small school shouldn’t be a knock on how good we actually are. It was a great feeling knowing that the whole town of Dale was there and we got to experience that with everyone.
VYPE: Do you feel like you debunked the myth that small schools can’t compete with the top teams in the state?
DF: Yes, I think that after the Tournament of Champions, there shouldn’t be anymore of that myth. We’ve proven it for a long time, but that big of a stage showed everyone.
VYPE: You’re also a state champion in fall baseball. Is there any chance we could see you playing both sports at the next level?
DF: No. I enjoy playing baseball but basketball is my passion, and I am going to be focusing on that at the next level.
VYPE: Two state titles and a 61-2 record the past two years. What’s left for you to prove?
DF: We are working to become one of the best teams ever and go for a 3-peat. There’s been plenty of teams go back-to-back but there’s just a handful of teams that have won three in a row and that’s what we are going for.