Colson plans to contribute early

Bonzie Colson didn’t think much about repeating.

But that was exactly what Colson did last month when the senior forward from St. Andrew’s School in Barrington, R.I., won state Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the second straight season.

“It just shows all my hard work and dedication and just proving, there’s a lot of talent out here, it’s just great knowing that I won it again,” said Colson, who signed with Notre Dame in the fall. “I couldn’t do it without my teammates.”

Colson led St. Andrew’s to a 26-5 record and a berth in the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class AA tournament semifinals.

Along the way he averaged 16.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and one assist. He’s since been selected to play in the Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic on April 18 at Freedom Hall in Louisville.

Colson finished his prep career with 1,938 points and 1,162 rebounds.

“It was a pretty good season,” Colson said. “It didn’t end like I wanted it to. Of course I wanted to go to the championship but we came up short. Besides that it was probably one of the best teams I played with in my four years, probably the most talented and most skilled. It was just a fun year. All around I had a lot of fun on the floor. We played well together.”

Since the season ended Colson, a 6-foot-5 forward, has been preparing for the next step in his basketball career.

Over the summer Colson will arrive in South Bend along with other freshman players looking to help turn around Notre Dame after a 15-17 season. Colson joins power forward Martin Geben as incoming front court players in search of playing time.

Forwards Garrick Sherman and Tom Knight depart along with point guard Eric Atkins.

“They talked about me coming in and give them some good minutes,” Colson said. “When it’s time to get ready we’ll get ready. I’ve just been working out and trying to stay in contact with them as much as I can to just get a mindset of how I’ll fit in and stuff.”

Colson said his speed and quickness improved during the season and since it ended he has been a weight room fixture. Even with some vacancies that Notre Dame must fill, Colson doesn’t plan to take the potential minutes for granted.

“You never know what might happen,” he said. “I think about it all the time. I just like to work. It’s a good feeling to know that could happen but I really just want it to happen so I have to prove during practices and the season once it comes.”

Notre Dame will also undergo a change at point guard, where soon-to-be sophomore Demetrius Jackson is scheduled to take over for Atkins.

Colson spent time playing pickup games with Jackson during his official visit.

“He’s a strong, solid guard who can score,” Colson said. “He definitely looks like he’s a defender out there. He controls the game and he definitely knows what he’s doing on the court. I feel like me and him can play well with each other I just can’t wait to get out there and see how we can play off each other.”