Whether leaping over defensive backs to make a catch on the football field or soaring over defenders for a slam dunk on the basketball court, Dallas Goedert has a way of making a difference.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior from Britton-Hecla is difficult to contain regardless of which sport he plays.
"He's a great athlete," said Braves' basketball coach Travis Santistevan. "He can make everyone around him so much better."
Because of his size and talent, Goedert often finds himself surrounded by a crowd whenever he is around the ball in either sport.
"Anytime you have a player like him, you have to prepare for him and pay special attention during the game to make sure he's accounted for on every possession," said Warner boys' basketball coach Matt Mackner.
And even then, sometimes the best you can do is just hope for the best.
"He pretty much single-handidly beat us the first time (last year)," Mackner said.
After Goedert made one perimeter jumper after another, Mackner said, "You just kind of shrug your shoulders. What do you do?"
With his sheer size alone, Goedert would be a formidable foe for any opponent. Throw in his athleticism and raw talent and he becomes a nightmare to defend.
"I think the thing that's special about Dallas is the combination of size and athleticism," Mackner noted, "and then having a kid that athletic and that big, and that has a skill set as well. He's a tough matchup."
While Goedert has grown and gotten stronger through the years, his natural ability has been a constant.
"Ever since I was little, I was pretty athletic," said Goedert, who once set five state records in swimming as an 8-year-old.
Santistevan, who just moved to Britton this past summer, got a chance to see that athleticism first hand as an assistant football coach for the Braves. He was happy to inherit Goedert as a first-year head basketball coach.
"Kind of blessing, because you have a player of his ability," Santistevan said. "He can do a lot of things for you."
A glimpse of Goedert's ability was on display last year in a game at Roncalli Gym when he nailed a pair of three-point field goals and also had a pair of dunks against the Cavaliers.
Goedert estimates he has dunked in a game about a dozen times so far, but also enjoys the other facets of basketball.
"Blocking shots is always fun," he said. "I like the whole offense too, getting assists, getting offensive rebounds and scoring."
Goedert finished his football career with more than 1,000 yards receiving and is fast closing in on 1,000 points in basketball. He said he enjoys both sports the same, depending on the time of the year.
"I like them both," he said. "Whatever season it is, I probably like better."
He said he won't do both in college, but is undecided on which sport he will choose.
"I'll just do one," Goedert said. "I'm not sure which one yet, though."
Before then, the standout will finish out his high school hoops career before giving track and field a try for the first time this spring.
With his ability, Goedert will likely continue to turn heads and give opposing coaches nightmares trying to find ways to stop him.
"He puts me in awe once in a while," Santistevan said. "I would not want to have to figure out what do with him each week."
Dallas Goedert File
Parents: Mary and David Goedert; sisters, Emily (22) and Megan (20).
Hobbies: Hunting, sports and playing video games.
Favorite Athlete: Jordy Nelson.
Future Plans: Attend college (South Dakota State and Northern State are in the mix) and play either football or basketball.
Most Memorable Athletic Accomplishment: "When I was 8 and I broke five records at the state swim meet."