Locker room leader: Jaelen Nelson shoulders the load during Dwyer winning streak

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Behind every successful basketball program is a locker room leader. For Dwyer, it's Jaelen Nelson, and it's a role he takes to heart.

He also defines “success” a bit differently than most.

The Panthers are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, including Thursday night’s 78-48 victory over Park Vista in the Holiday Basketball Classic showcase game.

And though Nelson had 21 points in the contest, the senior leader had a decidedly even-keeled response to how the season has gone for him.

“It’s not really going how I really wanted it to,” Nelson said. “But I know with my work ethic, I can get back with my teammates, hold [us] accountable, to a higher standard — that Dwyer standard. It’s my senior year, my last year. I’ve got to step my game up, but I know I’m on the right track.”

It was nowhere near the typical level of excitement one would expect to hear from a high school kid who’d just led his team to a showcase victory.

But Nelson isn’t your average kid, either.

“I think he’s putting a little too much pressure on himself,” Dwyer head coach Fred Ross said. “We talk about seniors and senior leadership, and he was led by some really outstanding seniors. He’s taking a little too much on. But I love him, and he’s probably our hardest worker.”

Nelson was all over the court on Thursday, which is right in line with the senior’s production this year — he entered that game averaging 12.4 points per game, adding five rebounds, both good for second on the team.

“I can’t ask any more of him than to keep shooting the ball the way he shot it tonight,” Ross said Thursday.

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It might not be a nickname he’s used to hearing from teammates, but “Team Dad” certainly fits the bill, drawing a knowing laugh from Nelson.

“I guess so,” he said. “I would call myself a team Dad. There is a place and a time for everything, but I’m more so on the serious side.”

A “big bro” figure for Amari Nealy, Nelson acts as a balancing point for his emotional teammate, serving as an anchor for the Panthers squad.

“Our leadership, me and TJ, we’ve been back-and-forth,” Nelson said. “We really have to be verbal leaders and leaders on the court with our effort and action because sometimes we fall apart. We have to be consistent no matter the situation.”

And while his scoring on the court dwarfs numbers posted by most in the county, his locker room leadership was needed once more on Thursday, when Dwyer entered the second half nursing a slim 2-point lead over Park Vista.

“That was one of those moments,” he said. “That was one of those moments where we need to tighten up. I could see it coming. I hate when I can see it coming because I know it’s preventable.”

Nelson, who has two sports scholarship offers, at times walks a thin line between cerebral team captain and his own worst enemy.

“I have a tendency to overthink a lot,” Nelson said. “It shows in my game sometimes — unforced turnovers, silly mistakes. But I make sure I go home and work on that. I try to keep my peace of mind. I look at film. I meditate. I do all these extra things that people don’t think matter, but they do. I take pride in it.”

At the end of the day, Nelson has proven he has the aptitude and the resilience to succeed in this sport.

“It sounds unbelievable, but I’m in the beginning of where I want to be for college,” Nelson said. “I’m getting recognition. I really want to expand on that, continue to succeed, and get more opportunities so I can play at the collegiate level. I want to play basketball for sure.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dwyer's Jaelen Nelson is the unsung hero behind Panthers' win streak