Will Batchelder ’22 Reaches 1,642-point milestone in high school career, 1,000-point milestone at Govs

On February 16, 2022, Senior point guard Will Batchelder ‘22 scored his 1,000th point in a Governor’s basketball uniform. This amazing accomplishment puts Will in the company of some tremendously talented basketball players who have called Alumni Gym their home court.

Will hit the impressive 1,000-point milestone in his high school basketball career during his junior year on January 30, 2021. Will says that the moment was made more special because it happened during a shortened season with no spectators and limited contests due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Will remembers he was playing Thayer Academy when he scored his 1,000th point towards the end of the game. He says the moment was made even more exciting knowing that he had a whole season ahead of him to do so much more.

And he did. He recalls playing St. Mark’s on February 12, 2022 and he knew he needed 15 points in that game to reach 1,500 high school career points. He came in for a layup, the ball went in, and officials sounded the horn, allowing Will’s dad, Bill Batchelder ‘91, to come out to center court to congratulate him. He got to keep the game ball, too! Will closed out his high school basketball career with an impressive 1,642 points and a trip to the Class B NEPSAC tournament.

Will’s ties to Govs run deep. His parents Bill and Cat graduated from Govs in 1991, and his sisters, Callie ‘23 and Cece ‘25, also attend Govs. After two years at St. John’s Prep, Will transferred to Govs as a reclassified sophomore. He says he had a level of comfort with Govs because he had attended games in the alumni gym as a child.

After being scouted by upwards of an impressive 40 colleges and universities, Batchelder settled on Holy Cross, citing its closeness to his home and his family’s ability to continue to watch him play as a big part of his choice. He committed in the summer of 2021, so he went into his senior year knowing where he’d go to college — a senior’s dream!

Director of Afternoon Programs & Athletics Claudia Asano Barcomb says, “We are so happy to have Will as part of our Govs family. He has made an incredible impact on our program and a legacy for him and his family! I wish him the best of luck next year at Holy Cross!”

His team made the playoffs this year but lost to Rivers in the quarter-final game in early March. Will says highlights of his senior year basketball career were beating Brooks at Brooks, and having a “normal” season compared to the past two seasons that were interrupted by COVID-19. Will has been coached by Associate Director of Admission Michael Shelton all three years of his basketball career at Govs. He was one of three team captains, and says his main focus as a captain was supporting his fellow teammates.

“Batchelder is an exceptional talent. He has impacted our program from day one, and we are grateful for the energy and effort he has put in on the court and off it to make us a better program. Scoring 1,000 points in three years is a remarkable accomplishment, and I am blessed that I have been able to see every bucket!” said Coach Shelton.