Ever since Anthony Goode started high school, he patiently waited for the day a Division I program would offer him a scholarship.
It took the Milford Mill combo guard four years, a Class 3A state championship and a second-team All-Metro season, but last month that day finally came. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Goode got the good news from St. Francis (Pa.) coach Don Friday.
"He just said it like, 'I'm offering you a scholarship,' telling me how much it was worth," Goode said. "And after he did, I was thanking him. ... I went on a visit and everything. And then I waited another week and then I committed."
Goode, who averaged 11 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals for the Millers this season, signed his letter of intent to St. Francis last Monday. "I'm proud of him," said Nick Myles, Goode's AAU coach with Baltimore Assault. "He was underrecruited the whole process, and I think schools were finally starting to see his potential. I think he's going to be a great player in the [Northeast Conference]."
Myles called Goode an athletic shooter who can put the ball on the floor and defend. "I just think he's one of the most underrated players in this whole area, as far as seniors," Myles said of Goode, who had an offer from Division II Bowie State and interest from New Hampshire.
Goode said Friday, who first started recruiting him in January, told him that his only expectation is for him to come in and work hard for a spot in the rotation. After four years of doing just that, Goode's ready to do the same at the collegiate level.
"It does feel good because I've been working hard," Goode said. "Everyone always says hard work pays off, and I guess I'm just realizing that from a personal standpoint."
Baltimore Sun photo of Anthony Goode by Gene Sweeney Jr. / March 11, 2010