by Bea Peterson
Marcel Pettway, 18, a post-graduate student at Hoosac School will be playing basketball for the Bryant University Bulldogs next year. [private]“The school is everything I could ask for,” said Pettway. He has a full scholarship to the University and, he noted, this year the basketball team is second in the Conference. Pettway, an honor student at Hoosac, had several college offers to choose from, but felt Bryant was the best fit for him. He is not sure at the moment, but believes he would like to major in International Business and Bryant has an excellent business program. Not a part in the decision process, but an added bonus is that the college is in Smithfield, RI. Pettway and his family live in nearby North Providence, RI.
Pettway attended Wilbraham & Monson Academy for three years before returning home to graduate from North Providence High School, too late to participate in the basketball season. “My family and friends haven’t seen me play,” said Pettway. “So they are really looking forward to coming to Bryant and watching me play there. The whole town is looking forward to it”
The 6’6” Pettway couldn’t have come to Hoosac School at a better time. “This is our first year as a Double A team,” said Head Master Dean Foster. “It’s much tougher competition. Five of the players in this league are going to be Division 1 players next year.” Foster said last year the school was a B team and three years ago they were a D team. “This is an open league with schools from all over New England and New York. We thought we would get beat a lot, but we have done well with a 12-6 season.”
Hoosac Head Coach Mike Ryan described Pettway as “the whole package. He kept the team in a good emotional state all season.”
Foster had nothing but praise for Pettway. “He’s a wonderful young man, a true gentleman with so much character. My only regret is that he hadn’t attended school here sooner.”
Pettway believes his year at Hoosac has been extremely helpful to him. He knows that college will be tough and there will be a lot of pressure, but he believes he has the attitude and discipline to make it.
Though some Hoosac School hockey players have gone on to Division 1 schools, Pettway is the first basketball player to do so.[/private]