BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — College dreams will become reality for many area high school athletes on Wednesday. That’s when players outside of football can start signing scholarship deals with their future universities.

That includes the Lake Worth Christian School basketball star, who is set to take off on a basketball scholarship to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

A 4.0 GPA is not only an achievement, but also a recognition of determination and hard work.

It started years ago for student-athlete Landen Harwood of Lake Worth Christian to achieve a 4.9 GPA.

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“My mom and dad always made it a top priority for me to get good grades,” Harwood said. “I always focused on school first.”

It’s also about overcoming the challenge.

“It’s not easy,” Harwood said. “It means nights of extra homework and studying for tests. AP classes aren’t fun sometimes, but I figured that out.”

Although his studies were prioritized, he was in preschool when his father introduced him to his first love, basketball.

“My dad played college in the nearby PBA (Palm Beach Atlantic),” Harwood said. “He taught me almost everything I know.”

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Lake Worth Christian School basketball coach Matt Wargo said his star player became an important member of the team at an early age.

“He’s been on the varsity since his freshman year, he’s been on the team since his freshman year and he’s been the captain since his sophomore year,” Wargo said.

The coach spoke highly of Harwood’s leadership on and off the field.

“That’s what a coach expects from a player, especially a leader,” Wargo said. “Having this guy set the standard for what you want the program to be.”

Harwood’s dedication in the classroom and on the hardwood helped him earn a full scholarship to Division II Embry Riddle, where he will major in business management.

“I’m a little nervous. I can’t lie, but honestly I’m really excited because I’m 100% committed to coming here,” Harwood said. “I have no doubt it’s going to be great. I’m just ready to go for it.”