It’s not every day that an All-State shortstop just falls into your lap.
Yet, there was John Willette signing his National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Rhode Island on Monday in the library of Johnston High School. Willette, who was a First Team All-State selection in each of the last two seasons at Bishop Hendricken, transferred to Johnston a few weeks ago after deciding that it would be the right move for him.
“It wasn’t a disciplinary thing,” Willette said of his departure from Hendricken. “We just felt that it would be best for myself to withdraw. That’s the extent of it.”
However he got there, Johnston is happy to have him, particularly Panthers’ head coach Steve DeMeo. A middle infielder as talented as Willette, both at the plate and defensively, is hard to come by.
“John transferring is a nice little Christmas present for us,” DeMeo said. “It’s not every day that you gain an All-State shortstop. We like to say that he came home. He’s with his buddies now – the guys he went through little league and senior little league with. Hopefully he feels comfortable here.”
Two of those guys who played with Willette growing up are seniors Jake Coro and Nick Raposo. They know what Willette can bring to a team on and off the field, and they’re welcoming him with open arms.
“He brings a lot, definitely a big bat in the lineup,” Coro said of the addition of Willette. “He’s a great fielder and he can pitch too, so he’s going to be a big part of the team.”
“John’s a great addition to the team,” Raposo said. “He’s a great kid and a great baseball player.”
Willette may have to sit out an allotted amount of games because of the transfer, but that number is yet to be decided upon.
Nonetheless, the former finals Most Valuable Player will be ready to go and is excited to hit the field with his new teammates.
“Being back here, it’s crazy,” Willette said. “Obviously, you never thought that would happen, but there’s no better group of guys to do it with.”
“I hope that I can bring a good attitude, a good work ethic and anything that happens from there is on us as a whole,” Willette said. “We have a lot of work to do.”
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