Carlos Bautista signs with ACC

May 19, 2014 Editor

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

Yet another Onaway High School athlete will be given the opportunity to continue playing sports at the college level.

2014-Carlos-ACC — THE SOON-to-be graduate of Onaway High School, Carlos Bautista, will be an Alpena Community College Lumberjack in the fall. Bautista, who is excited about playing at the next level, is pictured with Onaway boys’ basketball coach Eddy Szymoniak. He will begin studying criminal justice. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

Senior Carlos Bautista, who was part of one of the most exciting boys’ basketball seasons in decades, has signed a letter of intent to play for Alpena Community College.

The Cards could count on his steady presence in the paint. He collected 271 rebounds and blocked 57 shots during the 2013-14 season. He also averaged 12.9 points per game during the successful 17-6 season.

ACC coaches Frank McCourt and Bobby Allen could see his stats in the Alpena paper and were interested in bringing him on the board.

Bautista talked to the coaching staff a few times before deciding to commit. He officially became a Lumberjack May 3.

“It’s good that it is not going to end, and I get a chance to play some more and maybe even go further to another college after those two years,” said Bautista.

“It shows where hard work will get you,” said head coach Eddy Szymoni

ak, who has been a mentor to Carlos during his basketball playing days in Onaway. “He has worked his tail off since his freshman year of being here.”

Szymoniak is impressed at the progress Carlos made and that he is able to continue playing. “We have not had too many kids come out of the school and play basketball at the next level. To see him move on to the next level is an encouragement.”

Szymoniak believes it will be an encouragement to other kids in the district that it is possible.

“He obviously deserves it,” the coach said. “I think it is pretty exciting for the school.”

He was an all-conference first team selection.