STARKVILLE — Garrett Batson had no idea he”d have an opportunity to play college soccer.
The 6-foot-3 Starkville High School right back had yet to have a season in which he”d “put it all together.”
Even after scoring six goals, registering three assists, and playing a major role in the Yellow Jackets allowing 14 goals in 19 games this season, Batson didn”t expect any interest from colleges.
The senior realized his soccer potential Wednesday when he signed a scholarship and became the ninth member of Itawamba Community College”s 2011 class.
“It kind of hit me like a freight train,” Batson said of receiving the offer. “I gave them a call and it just shocked me.”
ICC, which finished third in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College North Division this season, will have to replace three defenders. Batson is expected to challenge for a starting spot in coach Mike Sullivan”s flat-back defense.
“I like his size,” Sullivan said. “When you play the back line at our level, other teams getting in crosses is a big part of everybody”s offense. The games I saw him play, that dude was all over everything in the air. He”s got quality skills considering the lack of experience.”
Batson”s lack of experience is due in part to his versatility — he plays multiple sports — and to his thinking he wouldn”t play soccer in college. He credits teammates Alvaro Pichardo, Kase Kingery, and Price Day for helping him take his biggest step forward as a soccer player this season.
“It was my senior year, so I started working hard,” Batson said. “I started seeing the field a lot better. The experience started coming through and I put it into use with what I learned before that. It all kind of clicked. I had players helping me with what I needed to learn.”
Batson”s versatility and tenacious defending helped Starkville High School boys soccer coach Brian Bennett move Day from defense to midfield and play Daniel Fumo in a holding midfield role, which helped the Jackets control more possession and score more goals. Batson also a threat going forward.
“He has incredible speed and ability to win balls in the air,” Bennett said. “Two years ago, we had a lot of seniors playing in the back because of size and speed, and Garrett was playing halfback. We went to Center Hill (this season), and he was attacking and giving them trouble. But defending, you could see his natural tendencies. We had spots open last year and we just naturally put him there at right back.”
Sullivan isn”t sure if Batson will play right back or move to center defense, but jobs at both position are open. ICC”s back line plays more pressure with cover and balance than trapping, and Sullivan believes Batson will be an ideal fit in his 4-4-2 system.
Sullivan hopes an extra emphasis on recruiting players with experience as defenders will help the team overcome a handful of one-goal losses it had last season.
Batson will join former Starkville Academy standouts and friends Will Goodwin and Roy Miles, who will be sophomores next season, at ICC.
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