Anthony Batchelor, a guard/forward with the Durham College Lords basketball team, will be honoured Friday, February 15, for his record-breaking scoring.
Mission accomplished! After weeks of counting down, Durham College basketball player Anthony Batchelor smashed the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) all-time scoring record during a 100-48 victory over La Cite Coyotes on February 8 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.
His 1,435th career point erased Fanshawe College's Emilio Rocca's record of 1,434, set in 1986. The magical mark came after Batchelor was fouled on a three-point shot and then he sank three free throws, the last of which broke the record. The game was paused as his team and coaches congratulated him. His mother travelled from Seattle, Wash. to witness her son make college basketball history.
"If it wasn't for her (mother), I probably wouldn't have dropped a couple tears," he said, adding that breaking the record meant more to him because his mother was watching.
On Friday, February 15, Batchelor's family and Rocca will take part in a pre-game ceremony to honour his success. The ceremony is at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, prior to the team's final home game of the season, against the Loyalist Lancers. Adding to the accolades was the recent announcement that Batchelor has been named OCAA male athlete of the week for his accomplishment.
The 6-foot-2 guard/forward has averaged 20 points per game this season. Along with the career scoring record, he also holds the college's record for most points in a season and in a game. This is his fourth and final year with the Lords.
Batchelor is passionate about basketball, but realizes academics are also important. He views basketball as his second career option and plans to be employed as a Canada Customs or young offenders' probation officer, after graduating from the Durham College Penology and Youth Graduate Certificate program this semester. However, if a pro basketball career opportunity arises, Batchelor will not turn it down.
"Basketball will always be a part of my life," he said. "It ain't going anywhere."