With an enrollment of under 200 students, Cedar Key School is known as the smallest public high school in Florida. But for this tight-knit community and its athletes, the small-town atmosphere is cherished.
Basketball players play baseball, weightlifters run track, and volleyball players play softball. From August to May, the athletes go hard every day, embracing the unique challenges and camaraderie that come with it.
Micah Dehaven is one of these multi-sport athletes, taking part in everything from basketball to cross country. He's the point guard on the basketball team, the leadoff hitter for the baseball team, and the team captain of the cross country squad. Dehaven's success in each sport has earned him this week's UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week.
"We've got six guys on the basketball team, so we just suck it up and play, no breaks," said Dehaven. "I've been with this core group of guys all the way back to elementary school, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else."
Dehaven's first love was soccer, inspired by his father's footsteps. However, Cedar Key doesn't have a school soccer team, so he embraced other sports and fell in love with basketball. A five-year starter on the varsity team, Dehaven has scored more than 1,000 career points, with a single-game high of 36 points as a sophomore.
"Micah is a standout student athlete who excels both in the classroom and on the field. With an innate talent for whatever sport he's playing, he consistently leads by example, pushing his teammates to be their best," said Athletic Trainer Meredith Waln. "His work ethic and determination are evident in every practice and game, inspiring others to follow suit."
Despite playing year-round, Dehaven manages to find time to relax, often hunting or fishing when he has the chance.
"It is nice to slow down every now and then," he said. "Things definitely get fast and busy, so it's really nice to get out on the water or up in a stand to allow myself to be calm."
Dehaven's schedule won't slow down after high school. He has been admitted to the University of Florida, where he plans to pursue an engineering degree. A lifelong Gator fan, wearing the orange and blue will be a dream come true.
"It'll be hard to be away from the guys I've grown up with but I'm looking forward to the next step," said Dehaven. "We had so many awesome moments over the years competing. You always knew what you were going to get from those guys; even the bad days were fun."
Each weekly winner is eligible for a $2,500 scholarship as the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year, with the winner to be announced at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 academic year.