The bar has already been raised for Barton Community College swingman Colin Beatty.
A 6-foot-5 sophomore from Lanham, Md., Beatty signed on the dotted line Wednesday during the early signing period for NCAA Division-I basketball to play for Loyola University in Chicago.
“They want me to come in and play the 2 and the 3,” Beatty said of playing inside and out for Loyola. “They want me to come in and make an impact my first year, produce and they want me to start and be a good leader for the team.”
That’s something Beatty did last season while establishing himself as the go-to guy for the Cougars, averaging team highs of 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in becoming an All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference second-team selection.
And, it’s something Beatty, the lone returning letterman for BCC, has done thus far this season, posting up inside, as well as stepping out on the wing and knocking down the perimeter jump shot.
Check out Beatty’s statistical line from last Saturday’s 85-74 BCC win at Hesston: He scored a career-high 35 points, hitting 11 of 22 field goals and dished out a team-high six assists while making three steals.
According to Barton head coach Craig Fletchall, despite his scoring explosion, Beatty got his points in the flow of the offense.
“It really was,” Fletchall said. “He got to the free-throw line, he hit five 3s and we posted him up inside against smaller guards.
“It was really symbolic of what he does for our team. He scores a lot of ways and he is very versatile.”
Beatty continued his memorable week on Wednesday during a signing ceremony inside Kirkman Athletic Center.
“Loyola of Chicago, they have recruited him since the summer and they the right way,” Fletchall said. “They are very professional, and went about it the right way.
“We’re very proud of Colin. He will play in the same conference (Horizon League) as Butler, which played in the NCAA title game last season, so he’ll get to go to some big venues. Now he’s reaping some of his rewards for a good freshman year.”
Beatty chose Loyola over the University of Pacific.
“Now I can just focus on the season that’s here now,” Beatty said. “That’s one of the main reasons why I signed with Loyola because they want me to do the same thing that I’m comfortable with doing.
“I’m comfortable with posting up guards and I can shoot it, so everything they want me to do for them, I’m capable of doing and I will do.”