McCallie's Drew Viscomi (19) celebrates a goal with teammates Ben Brock (4) and Stone Roebuck during their soccer match at McCallie School on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.McCallie School soccer star Drew Viscomi has committed to play for Northwestern University. Despite having another year remaining in his prep career, the junior said once he had his mind made up, there was no reason to wait in announcing his decision.
"From the beginning it was the place I wanted to be, even aside from soccer," said Viscomi, who also was being recruited by Air Force, Davidson, Lipscomb and Ohio Wesleyan. "The combination of academics, living in a town like Chicago and the chance to play Big Ten soccer all made it the clear choice. It's a relatively new program that's on the rise, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
"This wasn't a rash decision and it's been such a long process that I felt it was taking away some of my focus from this season, so the timing was right. I'm big on holding to my word, so even with another year to go, there's no turning back."
So far this season Viscomi has scored 22 goals and added five assists for McCallie (10-1-1), the state's top-ranked team and No. 6 in the latest CBS/MaxPreps national rankings. The Blue Tornado, who have played six defending state champions this season, will host Baylor this evening at 6:15, having lost just once in the last nine meetings with their top rivals.
"Drew has gotten where he is through an unbelievable amount of hard work," said McCallie coach Chris Cushenbery. "He has a mastery of the ball that nobody else does. He's spent a lot of time practicing with the ball, and that shows. He's explosive, can do everything at full speed and shoot with both feet.
"Off the field he's a great student who takes challenging honors classes, so I think he was intrigued by the academic challenge as well as pushing himself athletically."
Scots get Erickson
Heritage senior Hunter Erickson signed paperwork Wednesday to seal his commitment to play basketball for nearby Covenant College, which won its conference tournament and went to the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time.
The 5-foot-10 guard scored 859 points in his Generals career - most of those the last two years, coach Kevin Terry emphasized - which is the second most in program history, and he had the most 3-point baskets, 186, on 38-percent success.
"He's a testament to what hard work, a dream and a love for the game can do," Terry told the gathering at Heritage.
Erickson, a 4.0 student, said he also talked to Sewanee and "Dalton State a little bit," but he had watched some Covenant games and played pickup games with Scots players and felt comfortable there.
"It's a beautiful campus and a great academic school, and I really like the basketball program. It fits the way I play," he said.
McCallie still No. 1
McCallie continued as the state's top Division II-AA baseball team in the latest TBCA poll. The Blue Tornado are playing a series at Father Ryan this weekend with a single game tonight and a doubleheader tomorrow.
Hixson is the state Class AA eighth-ranked team, and Bradley Central remained at No. 8 in the Class AAA poll. Arlington is ranked No. 1 in AAA, Christ Presbyterian No. 1 in AA and Loretto No. 1 in Class A.