By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Back on May 21 DeMiyah Gatlin celebrated her signing day with friends and family on the campus of Brighton High School.
The previous night Gatlin, alongside her twin brother DeMaryo, graduated on the BHS Football Field. She woke up the following day to secure her next step in education and athletics. After wrapping up a successful multiple-sports tenure at Brighton, Gatlin inked her national letter of intent with parents Stan and Demeka Gatlin by her side to play basketball at Southwest Tennessee.
Gatlin’s signing day went from a sure thing her junior year to questionable over the past 12 months. It wasn’t the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world that created the doubt. It was her personal storm of an untimely injury that shock the world of DeMiyah.
“It definitely was an eye-opener,” she recalled. “It made me want to push more and never give up. It happens to anybody No one is invincible. So it definitely made me want to push more.”
After finishing an 2020 All-District volleyball season, Gatlin made her move over to basketball. As the solo senior on her father’s roster, Gatlin was prepared to shoulder the responsibility of off-the-court leader and go-to player on the hardwood.
Things were going as scripted early in the season until Gatlin tore her PCL in her knee. Told her season was pretty much over, Gatlin faced a decision.
Try to rehab to make a late season return or just take a seat on the sideline watching her young team struggle and live vicariously through her brother DeMaryo as he played out his senior campaign.
“Actually it was on my mind to quit but I just didn’t,” DeMiyah recalled. “Because I seen my team struggling and it just hurt. I couldn’t just give up.
“I like seeing him (Maryo) enjoying his senior season but it just reminded me how much I missed it,” she added. “How much I missed playing.”
Informing her Coach/Dad, she was going to try to make it back before the season ended, DeMiyah got the motivation she needed from parents through verbal encouragement and investment of time.
“They kept telling me on a daily basis it’s not over,” she said. “ Just keep pushing.”
Another boost to her confidence came from Denver, Colo., when her big brother would give her a call.
“Tae’lyr definitely always going the extra mile and putting in the extra work,” DeMiyah said. “It reflected on me.”
Tae’lyr, the all-time leading scorer in Brighton Basketball history, signed a scholarship to the University of Denver back in 2018 finishing his senior season for the Cardinals with averages of 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.9 steals per game..
DeMiyah posted similar numbers in her comeback game during the 2021 District 13-3A Tournament play-in game with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. The Lady Cardinals pulled off the upset over Liberty to advance to Regionals.
“My heart was racing,” DeMiyah recalled. “I was excited, first game back. I had to step up and become that leader that I am. First game back I had to…”
That victory and moment of clarity helped DeMiyah to make her post high school decision.
“I have more of an advantage in basketball,” she noted. “In volleyball I see people taller. In basketball I feel I’ll be more of an asset.
“It goes hand and hand with basketball,” Gatlin said of volleyball. “I think it helped me playing both sports with conditioning, just all in all playing every day. Not getting break helped me develop my skills in both sports.”
The Lady Saluqis had an eye on Gatlin for years and made an offer giving her a chance to continue her basketball playing days.
“Of course I see it was a second chance,” Gatlin concluded. “I’m not going to say I’ll play it safe. Of course I’ll always play hard but I’ll be more aware of my surroundings and try to be safe.”
