Recruiting Report: Dorrell Bratton (2018)
Six-foot guard Dorrell Bratton of St. Croix Lutheran is being recruited in football but is also a key piece to a Crusader year that should be strong.
Bratton joins Garett Maag, Adam Arroyo, Jack Kuckhahn, Aaron Jenniges, and Stephen Kletscher as six returning players from last year’s eight man rotation.
“Talent wise we have a lot of seniors that were juniors last year and I feel like we have more experienced from last year losing in sections,” Bratton told Northstar Hoops.
“Me, Garett Maag, and Stephen Kletcher have big roles for the team this year and I think with the chemistry we have right now we can go very far in our class. We also have a lot of young guys that will be seeing the floor this year.
“A name to keep in mind is Xavier Garcia, a true freshman now that played varsity for us a 8th grader. The kid can shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor and I feel like he will play a big role for the team this year.”
The Crusaders moved up to Class AAA this year and they are in the same section as St. Thomas. A tough obstacle for sure but in easier road to state than going through Minnehaha Academy in section play would have been in Class AA.
“My goals for the team this year is to make it to state,” Dorrell said. “I feel like we got a lot of talent on our team and we can really do something this year! I have faith in my team and I feel like we can go extremely far.
“Individually I want to be the one to lead the team and make plays, I take pride in my defense and everybody I know can tell you that. We lost a lot of scores last year and I feel like with me being more aggressive it will help the team so much more.”
Bratton played with Minneapolis FAB this 17u season and it helped his game tremendously.
“This AAU season was great playing for Minneapolis Fab,” Dorrell said. “I feel like I got extremely better from the previous year. Fab really helped me grow on the court and also as a young man all thanks to my Coach, Coach Luke.
“He really puts kid in the best situation possible for them to get better and I’m really fortunate to be coach and mentored by him, now my whole mindset is different now and I’m now ready for my senior season.”
Bratton is more focused now on what he has to do to help his team win.
“My focus of improvement was just being more vocal on the court. We had a lot of young guys last year for St. Croix Lutheran including myself and I think being the leader of the team this year would be the best situation for the team.”
Dorrell is also a key piece of the St. Croix Lutheran football squad. College football teams are talking to Bratton about playing at the college level.
“For basketball I have been contacted by St. Cloud State and Loyola University during our Kansas tournament but for football I have been offered by Cincinnati Christian University/
“I have been getting recruited by Bemidji University, MSUM, Ausburg, University of Minnesota Duluth, Howard University, Concordia University Ann Arbor, and Winona.
“I’ll most likely be playing football next year for college but right now I’m just taking everything slow. I have an official visit in Bemidji State in December. After the football season I will be scheduling more when my season is over with but for right now I’m focused on football and winning state.”