By Mike Beas
The roster for the 2022-23 Brownsburg boys basketball team includes only two seniors, one being Elhadj Diallo.
In his 10 seasons as the Bulldogs coach, Steve Lynch has had many outstanding leaders in his program with Diallo, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, being among the latest.
Statistically and motivationally, Diallo is one of the main components for a squad that has been at or near the top of the weekly Class 4A poll all season.
“All kids would like to be a leader, and Elhadj does a good job of making leadership about the team and what’s best for us,” said Lynch. “And people respond to that. He demonstrates how you’re supposed to go about your business.”
Diallo averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals to help lead the Bulldogs to a 16-2 record through Jan. 27 – the program’s best regular season since the 2013-2014, squad (and Lynch’s first) that finished 21-3.
His consistency, too, is something special, as Diallo has scored in double-figures in all but two games. His season-high of 24 points has been achieved three times, in victories over North Central, Pike and Westfield.
In what was perhaps Brownsburg’s finest overall performance to date this season, a 73-51 dismantling of host Kokomo in the championship game at its own Phil Cox Memorial Tournament in late December, Diallo sprung for eight points, a season-best 14 boards and two assists.
Brownsburg then went on to win the annual Hendricks County Tournament in dominant fashion, defeating its three opponents by a total of 90 points. Diallo averaged 16 points and 4.3 rebounds over this stretch.
Diallo, whose excellence extends to the classroom (3.8 grade point average), did a Q&A with ICON:
Q: How old were you when you started playing basketball at the competitive level?
A: I started in second grade because my older brothers got me interested. I really love the game. It’s brought me a lot of fun. Just the best part is making memories with my friends.
Q: As one of only two seniors on the current Brownsburg team, what has this season been like for you?
A: The past couple months have been good — a lot of hard practices and teammates making each other better. I feel we have a lot of chemistry from the team last year.
Q: Statistics aside, what type of input do you attempt to bring to the program from a leadership standpoint?
A: When guys have their head(s) down, I like to bring up their self esteem. I’ve been in those same shoes. It’s important because it reflects onto their game when they’re playing.
Q: Have you committed to a college yet, and what will be your major?
A: The plan is to go to college and major in computer science. I like the aspect of working with technology.
