After the initial surprise dissipated, curiosity set in for Dylan Sander. Word spread quickly around C. Milton Wright that it hired Gary Neal as its new boys basketball coach. Sander had never been coached by such a figure, so off to the internet he went to find highlights and statistics that told the story of his new coach.

Neal played seven seasons in the NBA after one of the most distinguished high school careers of any Harford County player. He now finds himself nestled in the tight-knit neighborhoods where he grew up, coaching what was once a fierce rival.

Back home where his basketball journey began, Neal is adapting to his new team during an up-and-down first year at the helm. His players, energized by Neal’s resume and attitude, are getting a first-hand glimpse at a roadmap to reach the heights some of them aspire to.

“It helps us to know he came from the same spot where I’m playing and knowing it’s possible,” Sander said. “It helps us all realize that, like, it can be done.”

Neal played three years at Aberdeen and led the Eagles to a state championship in 2000 before transferring to and graduating from Calvert Hall in 2002. He played his first two college seasons at La Salle before transferring to Towson and played two more years with the Tigers.

He started his professional career in Europe. Neal broke into the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs in 2010 and made the league’s All-Rookie team. He enjoyed a successful career that included a brief stint with the Washington Wizards, for whom he averaged nearly 10 points a game.

Sander found all that information and more from his quick online searches. The 40-year-old spent three seasons leading Calvert Hall but resigned last March after going 45-59 and joined C. Milton Wright shortly after.

“You’re learning new people and learning the kids,” Neal said. “They’re busting their butt. I’m just trying to improve every day as a coach and make the kids better.”

Sander met Neal much later than most of his teammates. He led C. Milton Wright’s boys soccer team to a state championship as the starting goaltender and missed basketball tryouts. But the reigning Aegis boys basketball Player of the Year needed little time to acclimate to his new coach’s demands. And Neal knew the caliber of player he was inheriting.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Sander recalls Neal telling the team to start his first practice. “He’ll tell you if you’re doing something wrong.”

C. Milton Wright is 7-5 this season entering Thursday with a mixture of lopsided and agonizingly close results. The Mustangs beat Edgewood by two at home, then lost to the Rams by four on the road. They fell to Patterson Mill twice by a combined margin of 32 points. Six of C. Milton Wright’s seven wins are by 15 or more.

In C. Milton Wright’s loss at Edgewood last week, Neal’s team went on a 3-point barrage to race out to a large halftime lead. But a slow third quarter brought the Rams back, and what was at its most a 15-point lead was whittled down and became a frustrating defeat.

Neal’s ridden that emotional roller coaster and hasn’t been afraid to express his feelings. He gives players earfuls when they commit costly turnovers, but conversely backs them with enthusiasm when they take advantage of an open look and drain jump shots. Sometimes, referees are Neal’s targets, requiring a calming down by other officials or his players.

But that palpable energy is strategic. It infuses C. Milton Wright’s players with confidence and a spark that’s been vital as they traverse the journey of adapting to a new coach.

“It’s like he’s really there with us and one of us,” Sander said. “It really helps at away games, when we don’t have the students, bringing that energy to keep us moving.”

The Mustangs are taking advantage of Neal’s long playing career outside of his X’s and O’s expertise. In him, they see a personification of the goals some of them hope to reach, that successful college and professional athletes can indeed be from Harford County.

Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons @baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.