Another article from the Index Journal...this one is a Q&A...
On Wednesday, Abbeville High School basketball player Joseph Battle signed his National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Tulsa. The senior was named South Carolina's Mr. Basketball, the state's Gatorade Player of the Year and the Class 2A player of the year. He earned MVP honors at the North-South All-Star basketball game and piloted the Panthers to both football and basketball state championships, among many other accolades. Index-Journal sports writer Ethan Joyce talked with Battle after his signing ceremony about his upcoming college basketball career.
Q: You just signed with the University of Tulsa to play basketball. What does that mean to you to make this official?
A: This is a blessing from God to be able to have the opportunity to go play this sport at the next level. I just thank God for giving me this opportunity, and I am just going to make the best of it.
Q:We talked earlier this year about the goal of being football and basketball champions. Now that you accomplished that, and also have been able to find a place to go on and play basketball, what does it mean to look back and see all your accomplishments?
A: Coming into this season, we had those kind of goals. We just wanted to put them in play, especially with football and basketball. Just to be able to do it in both of them is a real blessing, and it just shows that if we can come together, stay together and stay focused that anything is possible. And we were able to do that.
Q:Coach (Frank) Haith shows up at the Upper State semis. What does he say to you about what he sees and the plans for you at Tulsa?
A: Before the game, he told me to just play like myself and act like he's not even there. He wants me to come in and be a point guard and learn the point guard role. It should be a fun and interesting experience.
Q: You took a visit recently. How did it confirm this decision, and what did you enjoy most about getting that experience on campus?
A: I had a great relationship with their assistant coach, Coach Schwartz, and also a good relationship with the head coach. They just made me feel like I was loved and that they really cared about me. They are going to be with me and have my back 100 percent.
Q: You got to watch the team play in the NCAA tournament. I guess they kind of snuck in there and surprised some people. What was that like to see that team play and how exciting is that for you going toward next year?
A: I got to see their style of play and how they matchup against a bigger opponent. I got to see how they play, how they compete, and see what kind of sets and stuff they run. I looked at my position as well.
Q:Before Tulsa shows up, you had a few other offers you were considering. How much longer were you willing to wait before an offer like this popped up or you decided to make this college decision?
A: Before I got the offer, I was probably going to play AAU again for the spring session. I was probably going to wait sometime between May in that period. But this one just popped up, and talking it over with my family, it was just the best decision for me to make, and I just went with it.
Q:Joseph Battle. University of Tulsa guard. What does it mean to hear that, and what does it mean that you were able to turn yourself into a DI player?
A: Just my teammates trusting in me and believing in me, and the coaching staff. Using my God-given talent, and just to be able to put Abbeville back on the map in football and basketball. It was just a great thing to do.
Q:Are they going to let you play football at all? Will they even let you get near a field there?
A: (Laughing) Probably not.
Q:How much will you miss football?
A: I'll miss it a lot. I really enjoyed my senior year with my brothers. I mean, it was probably the most fun I have had since my ninth-grade year. To be out there, playing with them and having so much fun with them, I am really, truly going to miss it.
On Wednesday, Abbeville High School basketball player Joseph Battle signed his National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Tulsa. The senior was named South Carolina's Mr. Basketball, the state's Gatorade Player of the Year and the Class 2A player of the year. He earned MVP honors at the North-South All-Star basketball game and piloted the Panthers to both football and basketball state championships, among many other accolades. Index-Journal sports writer Ethan Joyce talked with Battle after his signing ceremony about his upcoming college basketball career.
Q: You just signed with the University of Tulsa to play basketball. What does that mean to you to make this official?
A: This is a blessing from God to be able to have the opportunity to go play this sport at the next level. I just thank God for giving me this opportunity, and I am just going to make the best of it.
Q:We talked earlier this year about the goal of being football and basketball champions. Now that you accomplished that, and also have been able to find a place to go on and play basketball, what does it mean to look back and see all your accomplishments?
A: Coming into this season, we had those kind of goals. We just wanted to put them in play, especially with football and basketball. Just to be able to do it in both of them is a real blessing, and it just shows that if we can come together, stay together and stay focused that anything is possible. And we were able to do that.
Q:Coach (Frank) Haith shows up at the Upper State semis. What does he say to you about what he sees and the plans for you at Tulsa?
A: Before the game, he told me to just play like myself and act like he's not even there. He wants me to come in and be a point guard and learn the point guard role. It should be a fun and interesting experience.
Q: You took a visit recently. How did it confirm this decision, and what did you enjoy most about getting that experience on campus?
A: I had a great relationship with their assistant coach, Coach Schwartz, and also a good relationship with the head coach. They just made me feel like I was loved and that they really cared about me. They are going to be with me and have my back 100 percent.
Q: You got to watch the team play in the NCAA tournament. I guess they kind of snuck in there and surprised some people. What was that like to see that team play and how exciting is that for you going toward next year?
A: I got to see their style of play and how they matchup against a bigger opponent. I got to see how they play, how they compete, and see what kind of sets and stuff they run. I looked at my position as well.
Q:Before Tulsa shows up, you had a few other offers you were considering. How much longer were you willing to wait before an offer like this popped up or you decided to make this college decision?
A: Before I got the offer, I was probably going to play AAU again for the spring session. I was probably going to wait sometime between May in that period. But this one just popped up, and talking it over with my family, it was just the best decision for me to make, and I just went with it.
Q:Joseph Battle. University of Tulsa guard. What does it mean to hear that, and what does it mean that you were able to turn yourself into a DI player?
A: Just my teammates trusting in me and believing in me, and the coaching staff. Using my God-given talent, and just to be able to put Abbeville back on the map in football and basketball. It was just a great thing to do.
Q:Are they going to let you play football at all? Will they even let you get near a field there?
A: (Laughing) Probably not.
Q:How much will you miss football?
A: I'll miss it a lot. I really enjoyed my senior year with my brothers. I mean, it was probably the most fun I have had since my ninth-grade year. To be out there, playing with them and having so much fun with them, I am really, truly going to miss it.
