Pete Levitt; Leading the Way
The powerful Cape Henry Collegiate School Dolphins are once again on their way to another 20 win season. Heading into December, Cape Henry was ranked eighth in the Hampton Roads area, fresh off a championship run through the Atlantic Shores Tip-Off Tournament where they defeated a very talented Christchurch team in the finals.
The Dolphins, never short on talent, are led by senior center Pete Levitt. Levitt was named the tournament MVP at the Atlantic Shores tournament and made the All-Tournament team at Cape Henry's Flip-flop Classic. His hard work and dedication to his school and team is evident on and off the court. Levitt describes himself as "Tenacious, level-headed, and as an overall gregarious dude."
Levitt's athletic career began at a very young age with his father and older brother Cory being his main influences. Pete played and excelled at both basketball and baseball on local recreation teams before starring for the Dolphins at the high school level. At the age of ten, Levitt's mother felt that he would be a Major Leaguer one day. "He was always good at sports," she says, "He was very fast, and has a great temperament."
Levitt says that he loves to play sports because of the adrenaline rush he gets before and during games. "I do it for the thrill!" exclaims Levitt.
Although Levitt has been gifted with his athleticism, he does not underestimate the importance of honing his skills during practice. He looks forward to working on new plays, sets, or defenses that prepare the Dolphins for their next opponent. Levitt believes that practice is essential and credits the team's successful game performance with Coach Ward's "hard practices."
Larry Ward, Cape Henry's stalwart coach, believes in making the Dolphin's practice sessions as "intense as possible" so the players' performance carries over into game time. One of the players' favorite drills is Coach Ward's tip drill. This intense drill involves three players attempting to retrieve the basketball that is thrown between them and the first one to pass it back to coach wins. Levitt likes this drill because he is able to utilize his size to his advantage since fouls are allowed.
At 6'4 and 240 pounds, Levitt's size has allowed him to make his presence known on the court. His ability to use his size and strength has led him to lead his team in scoring and rebounding. Currently averaging 12.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game, Levitt plans to help lead the Dolphins to a state tournament run.
Levitt's consummate work ethic is another reason for his success. He believes in working hard during the off-season to maintain his strength and endurance.
"I'm always active no matter the time of year," He says, "Whether I'm playing baseball in the spring or basketball in the winter, or the occasional run around the neighborhood."
Levitt's belief is that, "The harder you work the luckier you'll get." He adds, "I try to win and play great so my team has the best chance of winning."
Levitt hopes that his hard work and talent will allow him to attend the University of West Virginia, University of Maryland, or Old Dominion University on a baseball scholarship, the other sport he excels at for Cape Henry. Levitt is one of the leading pitchers for the Dolphins, possessing an incredible 90 mph fastball and posted a 3.49 ERA last season.
Can you say, "major leaguer?"
