A Christmas story
for all seasons

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

He leads the Atlantic-10 Conference in scoring with a 20.4 average.
He’s the 10th player in Temple University basketball history to score 600 points in a single season.
He was the highest scorer in Samuel Fels High School history and the leading scorer in the city during his senior year at Fels, with 556 points.
There’s no doubt that Temple’s Dionte Christmas can score.
But to him, it’s nothing new. Besides, he has more important things on his mind.
"I’ve been a scorer my entire life," Christmas said recently. "It’s a big achievement, but I’d give it all up to win an A-10 championship."
Unfortunately, the sophomore guard did not reach that goal this year. The Owls’ season came to an end on March 7 after a 66-62 loss to St. Joseph’s in the opening round of the A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship.
But for Christmas, the year was a success.
He led the A-10 in scoring. He was a four-time Player of the Week honoree. He was among the leaders in three-pointers and free-throws. And he recently was named the conference’s Most Improved Player.
"This season was a lot of hard work," said Christmas. "I’ve been preparing for this my entire life. I’m in the gym all year long. But hard work pays off."
It most certainly does.
The 6-foot-5 athlete had a rough start last season, averaging just 3.5 points per game. Christmas quickly recovered, improving his scoring average by nearly 17 points this year.
"I had no idea I would have a season like this," said Christmas. "If someone told me last year it would be like this, I would have thought they were crazy.
"I’ve been working really hard," he added. "I practice every day and I get in the gym every day, even if only to shoot one-hundred or two-hundred jump shots. I want to work on my strength."
Christmas isn’t the only Owl who endures intense training and vigorous practices. The team as a whole works together, plays together, and supports one another throughout the process.
"The team always steps it up," said Christmas. "I think we all do a good job at playing our roles. The team has a way of playing off each other. If I’m having an off game, but Mark’s hot, the ball goes to Mark."
Junior guard Mark Tyndale, with 22 points, was the high scorer against the Hawks. Tyndale’s own scoring is close on Christmas’ tail; he ranked second in the A-10 in scoring this season.
"We have a strong team, but we need work," said Owls coach Fran Dunphy. "We were 6-10 in the league. We need to turn that around next year. My main goal for next season is to get to the NCAA tournament."
Although this is Dunphy’s first season coaching the Temple Owls, he has amassed a career of coaching credentials. The Villanova resident led the University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team to a school-record 310 wins before moving on to Temple this season. He has won 10 Ivy League championships and had five perfect Ivy League seasons, among many other accomplishments throughout his 17 years of coaching.
He has enjoyed the Temple experience.
"My first season as head coach was terrific," said Dunphy. "The guys were great and it was a joy coaching them."
Some of his success easily could be attributed to his own experiences as a college basketball player. A 1970 graduate of LaSalle University, Dunphy contributed to a 23-1 record during his junior year. As a senior, he was named co-captain and led his team in assists. He also was named the Most Valuable Player of the annual Quaker City Basketball Tournament that year.
"I was just a guy who did whatever he could to help his team," said Dunphy. "But that was a long, long time ago."
But some things have never changed for Fran Dunphy.
He still has the knowledge and determination to win. And even if his influence is now delivered from the side of the court, he most definitely is still in the game.
"I think he’s an excellent coach," said Christmas. "He’s taught me a lot."
His Most Improved Player award just may be an indication of that.
"I think I’ve improved a lot mentally this year," said Christmas. "Coming from high school, it was a big adjustment going to Temple. I felt I had to prove that I was ready both physically and mentally to take it to the next level."
And in two short years, Christmas not only has proved himself but has staked his place on the court as one of the dominant players.
"He had a tremendous start this year," said Dunphy. "The next step he needs to take is improving his defensive skills and decision-making. There’s no doubt that he’s a great scorer, but he needs to do more."
There is still plenty of time for Christmas to strengthen his skills. He has the determination to succeed with the Owls.
"My goal for next year is to win," said Christmas. "If my coach needs me to score points, I will. If my coach needs me to rebound, I will. I’ll do whatever it takes to win." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com