TRIPLE THREAT: Plymouth guard Dicken distributes, scores and leads
Sophomore Mackenzie Dicken is the engineer of the Plymouth girls basketball team’s offensive attack.
Not falling snow, gusting wind nor chilly temps could dissuade Mackenzie Dicken from spending time in her hoops happy place during her formative basketball years in Plymouth Township.
“I spent a lot of time shooting in my driveway with my dad,” explained Dicken, the two-year starting sophomore point guard for Plymouth High School’s emerging girls basketball team. “Even when it was icy out, snowing, we’d be out there shooting.
“I’ve never really received any specialized training. The skills I developed when I was young came from playing on my driveway. Now that I’m here, at Plymouth, I shoot in the gym a lot, but I still like playing in the driveway.”
Dicken’s dedication to basketball is reflected in the success she and her Wildcat teammates are experiencing during the early stages of the 2023-24 season.
Rapid rebound
Following a lackluster 2022-23 season that was marred by injuries to key upperclassmen, the Wildcats have bolted to a 6-1 start thanks to formidable front-court play, team chemistry and a fearless sophomore point guard whose skill set can break down opponents in multiple ways.
“Mackenzie’s game is elite,” said Plymouth Head Coach Ryan Ballard. “She can score, she’s a great passer and she has a really good mid-range shot.
“What makes her special is her unselfishness. Her teammates love playing with her. They love going into battle with her.”
The feeling is mutual, Dicken emphasized.
Advanced Placement Chemistry
“I love playing with my teammates,” she said. “Some of us have been playing together since elementary school when my dad put together a travel team (Plymouth-Canton Force). Whenever somebody does something good, everybody else is cheering them on. That’s what makes it so much fun.”
The Wildcats’ all-for-one mentality was never more apparent than during the final minutes of their season-opening 52-21 victory over Gibraltar Carlson.
When reserve forward Talia Abbadi banked in a bucket, the entire team erupted, as if the shot was a game-winning buzzer-beater.
Like most top-shelf point guards, Dicken loves to accelerate the game’s pace.
“I try to push the ball up the floor as fast as I can,” Dicken said, smiling. “Sometimes I go too fast and it leads to turnovers, but I love playing in transition and taking advantage of the other team when they don’t get back on defense.”
KLAA cross-over
Uniquely, the Dicken bloodlines are spread over two Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division programs.
Northville’s head coach is Mackenzie’s uncle, Shaun Dicken, who is assisted by Chad Dicken, Mackenzie’s dad.
While Chad Dicken helps out during Mustang practices, he never misses one of his daughter’s games, Mackenzie said.
“Some people say, ‘Are you mad your dad is coaching over there against you?’,” Mackenzie said. “Honestly, I think it’s a really cool experience because I’ve gotten a chance to meet all the girls on Northville’s team. When we play them this season (Jan. 19 at Northville), it will be fun.”
All-around accelerator
In addition to her hoops success, Dicken shines in the classroom and as a standout distance runner for Plymouth’s track-and-field squad.
“I’m really excited about our team this season,” Dicken concluded. “We spent a lot of time in the gym and the weight room during the off-season, we have great team chemistry and it’s a mature team.”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
