BNL’s Matson signs with IU Kokomo

By Justin Sokeland

WBIW.com

BEDFORD – Kokomo, that’s where Patric Matson wants to go.

Matson, Bedford North Lawrence’s gifted senior shooter, signed with IU Kokomo on Friday afternoon. After leading the Stars in scoring the last two seasons, he was a high-priority recruiting target for the Cougars, who plan to utilize his pure-form stroke to its greatest potential on the next level.

Deadly from the perimeter, Matson averaged 19.7 points per game this year for the Stars. He also averaged 20.1 points as a junior and finished with 883 career points. He shot 48 percent from 3-point range and 54 percent overall during those two seasons.

IU Kokomo coach Eric Echelbarger, who made the trip to BNL for the signing ceremony, was eager to get Matson on his roster.

“The things we look for in guys that join our program, he embodies a lot of them,” Echelbarger said. “He’s a great person, a great guy with a great personality, a really good family. That’s important to us. He’s a great student, and it’s the way he plays. I love guys who are fiery competitors, and I feel that’s the way he plays. He plays hard every minute he’s out there.

“He’s gifted offensively. I really like his midrange game. We think he’s high level, a three-level scorer. He’s everything we’re looking for.”

IU Kokomo had everything Matson was looking for – a solid winning program (21-9 last season) and his intended major (business).

”They have such a great basketball program,” Matson said. “It’s a great fit.”

The Cougars graduated five players from their roster, so Echelbarger – who has coached the program for eight years and now owns the most wins in program history, with three Sweet 16 appearances in the NAIA national tournament – envisions Matson making an immediate impact on the court.

“He’s been at the top of our board,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have him. He will play very quickly for us. He will do well right away.”

Matson improved his skills each season. He was asked to be a ballhandler and defender as a senior, but his career will be defined by more than the time in BNL Fieldhouse.

”It’s the late night after the games,” he said. “I will definitely remember the games we won, but it was building friendships and bonds with these guys.”