Recruiting Report: Garrett Tipton (2018)
On October 1, 6’4” Bishop Hartley guard Garrett Tipton (2018) will make his college decision.
“I’ve cut it down to three … My top three right now are West Liberty, Bellarmine, and Ashland. That’s kind of where I’m at. I’m not accepting any more calls,” Tipton told Prep Hoops.
“My plan is to commit October 1st and I’m not extending that. I’m not pulling it back. I’m going to give myself this week to figure out exactly where I want to go,” Tipton said.
Tipton’s decision has come down to those three D-II schools, despite having double-digit offers on the table, including two from the D-I level (Youngstown State and Indiana State).
“I went to Bellarmine September 7th through the 9th. I went to Ashland the 20th through the 21st. West Liberty the 18th through the 19th, all in September. So I’m done taking visits and I’m just going to take this week to focus.”
“Whenever something sounds really good, somebody else calls and makes it sound even better. It’s all about facts at this point and I got to make sure I have my facts right, to commit to the right school,” Tipton said.
Tipton does not know what his decision will be, but he does have a pretty good idea of how to choose.
“This week will basically consist of any last minute questions that I might have — those might be, like, the deciding questions. It’ll be a lot of looking at the school side of stuff. Because at the Division II level, I want to make sure I get a really good degree. Also sitting down and maybe looking at which one can develop me if I want to keep playing. Maybe go overseas, maybe play pro, something like that, and which one gives me the best opportunity to do that,” Tipton said.
“It’ll come down to how I feel. It’s the feel when I get on campus. Knock on wood, but if I can’t play basketball ever again, I got to be able to go to school. And what school is the best fit for me,” Tipton said.
After this week, Tipton will be able to focus on his senior year.
“The greatest part about this, committing October 1st, is basketball work-outs really start kicking up in October. Once October 1st rolls around and I’m committed and done with, I can start focusing on my senior year, which is the best year of high school. If I can focus on that and not have to worry about anything else, that’s what I’m kind of hoping for,” Tipton said.
As a senior with Hartley, Tipton hopes to lead the Hawks to the Division II Final Four.
“The expectations are to get to the Schott … If we can get out of the District, we’ll have a really good shot to get to the Final Four. That’s kind of our goal. That’s been my goal since freshman year,” Tipton said.
With Tipton’s focus being completely on the Hartley program after this week, expect them to make noise around the state. But for Tipton, he also wants to leave a mark within the program.
“I want to be able to leave a trademark on the basketball program. We may be listed as a football school, but this is how the basketball program gets it done,” Tipton said.