Scott, what's one more year?

By Chris Furnari

Scott Dougherty, do you think you could find it within yourself to stay another year?

I would first like to commend you on your outstanding year thus far. Throughout the season, you have anchored the Broncos' offensive attack and have been the most consistent player on the floor night in and night out.

When I think back to Bronco basketball, I will forever remember when you dropped 23 at Saint Mary's, your reverse dunk at USF and the countless times you sunk a three-point bomb from the corner on an inbound play.

As a fifth-year, red-shirt junior, you have one more year to play collegiate basketball. I was disappointed when I learned that you were hoping to forgo your last chance to play college ball to start your career as a dentist. I will undoubtedly come to you for all my teeth cleanings and root canals, but can't your lifelong profession wait just one more year?

You walked on to not one, but two Division I college athletic programs as a freshman.

After finally deciding on basketball as your focus sport, you earned a scholarship and then came back from an injury to lead your Broncos into first place in the West Coast Conference.

Without your leadership on the floor, I would not consider the Broncos a viable contender for the WCC tournament championship and post-season hopefuls. Your three-point shot is a dagger directly into the hearts of every opponent and you are one of the most clutch players Santa Clara has seen since Steve Nash. Santa Clara fans everywhere can count on you to make huge free throws in the most crucial times of every game.

If you want to talk about stats, yours are through the roof this year. You're playing more minutes, scoring more points and have one of the highest field goal percentages on the team. Currently, you are the team leader in points during conference play, averaging 13.3 a game. You have scored career highs this year four different times and led an offensive charge in Spokane with a near-perfect shooting night to help the Broncos grab sole possession of first place in league.

Scotty, you are Santa Clara's go-to guy. It's the final seconds of the game, and I'm dishing the ball off to you. All you have to do is sink the shot, my friend. I think I speak on behalf of all Bronco fans when I say this: Please return for one more year.

Besides, you have the rest of your life to become a dentist; you only have one year left to play college basketball.

Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 551-1918 or cfurnari@scu.edu.