Scott signs for the UAFS hardwood

Pocola’s Garrett Scott signed with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith for basketball on Monday.

“I’m excited for the next step. It’s a big thing,” Scott said.

While he had other options, Scott chose the program closest to home.

“I like the coach. I like the facilities. My family members have been there. They said it’s a really great spot. People I trust have said that,” he said.

Scott expects to play point guard at UAFS.

“I’ll be making plays for the offense,” he said.

Scott hopes to build muscle to get to 175 pounds by the time school starts.

“I’ve been working out, drinking a lot of protein shakes and eating right. It’s beein working,” he said. “I need to get stronger, handle the ball better — mainly stronger.”

Scott scored 1,633 points in his high-school career and helped the Indians to the Class 2A state championship game in March. Scott and the Indians have played in the state tournament the last three years.

He was named an Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State basketball player.

“He’s going to do great,” Pocola head coach Derek Barlow said. “Garrett’s going to work hard. He’s a great kid. He’s really driven to be there. He’s going to go in and do all the things they ask him to do. I think the big thing about Garrett is that his body is still maturing. His body in two years is going to be completely different from what it is. His body’s still growing. His body just hasn’t been able to take that weight yet.”

Barlow said it’s hard to pick one game in Scott’s career ahead of the rest. Still, he said Scott’s performance in the state championship loss to Dale on March 9 was important for his maturation. Scott scored 17 points on 7-of18 shooting that night.

“He’s done so many great things for us,” Barlow said. “We didn’t do great in the state championship, but Garrett stepped up at a time when no one else was stepping up, and attacking the basket on a big level on a night when things weren’t going well. That was a big game for him to step of and do well, for him personally. He didn’t have a lot of help, but he put the team on his shoulders.”

The Lions, an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Lone Star Conference, went 7-21 this season.

PDN photo by Tom Firme Pocola’s Garrett Scott signs with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith while seated with sister Mika Scott and parents Amy and Greg Scott. In back are Mike and Susie Lairamore, Sadie Scott and David and Katherine Chitwood.