Gavin Saunders signs to play basketball at Adrian College

The REPORTER

Hamilton Heights senior Gavin Saunders has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Adrian College in Adrian, Mich., this fall. Adrian College is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and a NCAA Division III athletic institution.

He is the son of George and Shelley Saunders.

Saunders is Hamilton Heights’ single game 3-point record holder, a two-time Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) player of the week and named to the Hoosier All-Conference team. When he is not in class or on the court, he works as a lifeguard at the Westfield YMCA and The Bridgewater Club. He also attends Carmel United Methodist Church.

The learning environment at Adrian is outstanding and I feel the college is great,” said Saunders, who plans to study accounting to ultimately seek a job in payroll accounting. “The coaches at Adrian have made me feel incredibly welcome and it truly feels like home away from home.”

“I have loved basketball ever since I was in kindergarten,” recalled Saunders, who has played basketball on many different teams over the past 12 years. He has played year-round since the sixth grade and committed his life to the sport.

Saunders credits his parents as being the biggest influence in his development as a student-athlete. In addition, he says all his former coaches such as Eric Rauch, Dave Klaus, and Chad Ballenger have also provided him with the skills and experience he needs to play at the next level.

“Gavin is very deserving of this opportunity,” Hamilton Heights Head Basketball Coach Chad Ballenger said. “He had an outstanding basketball season for us in all areas of the game. We have had some good players and shooters come from this program over the years. Gavin is one of the best. His strength is shooting but he also led us in rebounding and was an outstanding team leader. His work ethic has given him this opportunity, I believe he has a very big upside and will continue to get better at the college level. Adrian is not only getting a great basketball player, but also a great person!”

“Gavin was so much fun to watch this season,” Hamilton Heights Athletic Director Kurt Ogden said. “He has to be one of the purest shooters I’ve seen. He rarely missed more than two shots in a row and that’s extraordinary. To score 51 points in one game and then hit a school-record 12 three pointers in another, just shows you the firepower he brought to the Huskies, offensively. Adrian College is getting a jewel, and we wish Gavin the best as he pursues his dream of playing at the next level.”