By Rick Dawson
Sports Editor, The Sentinel
Thurs., April 24, 2003
Trey Eaton ended speculation about his college destination by choosing the University of St. Francis at Fort Wayne.
Eaton
received interest from a host of Division I schools that
included Indiana, Evansville, Indiana State, UNC Wilmington,
Morehead State, Wright State, Central Michigan and IPFW. But
Valley coach Bill Patrick said that the senior, who is still
awaiting ACT results, told him that he wanted to go to a
smaller school when the two ventured to the Border Wars/Nancy
Rehm All-Star Classic in Fort Wayne last week.
“He’s looking at it from the standpoint of getting a good
education first,” Patrick said. “He told me he didn’t think he
wanted to go Division I last Thursday when I took him to Fort
Wayne. He’s a rare kid, that Division I wasn’t really a
priority. He wanted to go somewhere where he had four years
where he could enjoy it.”
St. Francis coach Jeff Rekeweg, who will begin his eighth season in the fall, said that he will waste no time getting Eaton involved in the program. The Cougars were 14-19 a year ago but were ranked No. 1 in the country and advanced to the Elite Eight as recently as 2000.
“We’ve had
some good players here,” Rekeweg said. “But he ranks as the
best all-around recruit that we’ve ever had.
“We have a good group of complementary players. But we don’t
have a go-to guy. He’s a guy that right away can step in. What
we’re really trying to do is build the team around Trey.”
Eaton holds records for single-game scoring (51 points), single-season scoring (612), career scoring (1,682), single-season free-throw percentage (92) and career free-throw percentage (540-for-618, 87 percent) at Valley.
Rekeweg said that he attended 10 to 12 of Eaton’s games this season and came away impressed by more than just his ability.
“When I walked in the first game I ever saw him play he was at the free-throw line, and I thought, ‘Man, this guy has a pure-looking shot,’” said Rekeweg. “I haven’t seen a young man better than him at creating shots for his teammates and squaring up when he goes to the basket. And he has a very sound work ethic.”
Rekeweg also had a word for anyone who doubts Eaton’s defensive skills.
“I see no question,” he said. “He’s one of those rare ones we’ve gotten with Division I ability. He has good lateral quickness and there aren’t a lot of high school players built like him. I think a lot of people missed the boat and didn’t see what he’s capable of doing defensively.”
Eaton is a candidate for the Indiana All-Star squad, which will be announced on Sunday.
Trey Eaton's senior season stats:
| Gms. Plyd. | 3-pt att. | 3-pt made | 3-pt % | 2-pt att. | 2-pt made | 2-pt % | fg % | F.T. att. | F.T. made | F.T. % | Tot. Pts. | AVG. |
| 22 | 130 | 57 | .438 | 230 | 120 | .522 | .492 | 228 | 201 | .882 | 612 | 27.82 |
| Reb. Avg. | Assts. | Avg. assists | Steals | Blkd. shots | Chgs. taken |
| 9.6 | 44 | 2.0 | 43 | 19 | 12 |
-- GO USF --