Hatchett plans to leave college choice for later

Scott County Central senior point guard Bobby Hatchett is going to play basketball next year.

He just hasn't decided where yet.

Hatchett, who scored 22 points in the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament title game Wednesday, said he's had multiple coaches talk to him.

"I haven't narrowed them down just yet," Hatchett said. "I have to get better and keep making progress."

Hatchett, who is listed at 5 foot 11, earned all-state honors last season while helping the Braves capture the Class 1 state championship. He averaged 13 points and 2.7 rebounds a game through district play last season. But he saved his best for last. He scored 29 points and dished out 13 assists in the state title game against Newtown-Harris.

Hatchett, who scored 92 points in this year's Christmas Tournament, said he plans to make his college choice at the end of the season.

"Keep my options open and look at my choices," he said.

Among those who have shown interest are Mississippi State, Missouri State, Illinois State, Southern Illinois-Carbondale, UT-Martin, Saint Louis University, Memphis and Southeast Missouri State University.

Although Hatchett said he hasn't narrowed them down, he did say his top three were Illinois State, SIU-Carbondale and Mississippi State, citing that Illinois State was the front-runner because it was the first one to make contact.

Southeast Missouri State coach Dickey Nutt and SIU-Carbondale coach Chris Lowery both were in attendance at Wednesday's final.

"It makes you humble," Hatchett said of the recruiting process. "It makes you want to work harder physically and mentally. I have to stay focused on school and getting better [in the classroom]. ... You can never be good enough."

When asked about joining the Redhawks next season, Hatchett said he really liked Nutt.

"I met the staff," Hatchett said. "They're real cool. I like coach Nutt. He's real hyped."

Hatchett played AAU basketball over the summer for the St. Louis Eagles. He said that team's success has helped him gain more exposure.

"We had a real good year," Hatchett said. "I got a lot of looks from that."

Braves coach Kenyon Wright said he's been contacted by several coaches to talk about Hatchett.

"The coaches I've talked to have said he'd be their top guard as a freshman because of his quickness," Wright said.

Despite his talent, Wright said Hatchett refuses to get caught up in the attention.

"He's fantastic," Wright said. "You couldn't ask for a better kid than Bobby Hatchett."