Column: Never another like DGB

Published March 12, 2012.

Dorial Green-Beckham wouldn't say for sure if he represented Hillcrest High School for the final time on Saturday night in the Class 4 boys' basketball state championship game at Mizzou Arena.

But after the 55-42 loss to Soldan International Studies, it sure seemed like it. And he certainly does not have much to gain or prove in winning a few more state track and field medals.

"It might be my last time representing Hillcrest," the senior said after rattling the rim a couple times and doing the best he could to deliver another state title to Springfield.


His focus seems to now be on his future with the Missouri Tigers football team, which celebrated his February signing as a sign they were ready to compete in the Southeastern Conference.

"It's about moving on and getting ready for workouts next fall, and just getting ready for that first game," Green-Beckham said of the Sept. 1 home game against Southeastern Louisiana.

On the basketball court, Green-Beckham totaled 2,092 points in his high school basketball career, most all-time in Springfield Public Schools history. He helped lead the Hornets to a 2010 Class 5 state championship and could certainly lace it up for many Division I basketball programs.

Hillcrest basketball coach John Schaefer has maintained Green-Beckham could be an impact basketball player at the next level. He certainly will be expected to be a major presence on the football field, entering Columbia as the nation's highest-rated recruit.

"He's a special kid, a special player," Schaefer said Saturday. "His accolades and awards, it's just dumbfounding. If you look it up, he's won it. If there's something to be done, he's done it."

But if it's head-scratching where Green-Beckham has come in four years, imagine where he could be in four more. And Springfield and Hillcrest will always be with one of its favorite sons.

"I love the support Hillcrest has gave me these past four years that I've been here," he said Saturday. "All these guys have been behind me since day one.

"I just feel the love that Hillcrest has for me."

Schaefer was emotional in the press conference when reflecting on his chance of coaching what could be a future NFL star.

"I won't ever coach another Dorial Green-Beckham in my career, regardless of where I go," Schaefer said. "Just for Hillcrest, it's a remarkable deal. I'm going to miss him, for sure."

He won't be the only one, as Green-Beckham's star power has helped make Springfield's place in the world a little brighter over the past few years.

And as he continues to shine on bigger and bigger stages, it's a safe bet he won't forget those who helped him grow.

Contact Matt Schoch at (417) 836-1191 or maschoch@news-leader.com. Follow him at twitter.com/MattSchochNL.