Passion is a word that best defines Watertown senior forward John Korte.
His passion for basketball is such that he will bypass football at the next level even though he is regarded as one of the better wide receivers in the area. The passion for donning a Watertown uniform was so strong that he turned down several chances to leave for prep school in order to remain a Raider for life.
“He’s been everything around here,” Watertown boys baskeball coach Steve Harrington said. “He watched his sisters (Francesca and Felicia) play when he was growing up and he’s been dying to get to the high school and play himself. He played as a freshman, he played a bigger role as a sophomore and he’s been the MVP of the Middlesex Freedom the last two years. He just loves basketball and he’s very competitive.”
Korte earned the first of his two MVP awards last season in leading Watertown to a 21-2 record, the Division 3 North sectional title and a trip to the Garden. That journey was one of the key reasons why the 6-foot-5 forward decided to return to Watertown rather than sail into the prep waters.
“Playing for Watertown means a lot to me,” said Korte, who is averaging more than 21 points and 11 rebounds a game this season. “We had a great year last year and I wanted to stay to get some of my records here. So many great players have played here before me and I wanted to strive to become one of the best players that ever played at Watertown.”
While Korte’s passion is clearly basketball, he showed plenty of potential on the gridiron. A matchup nightmare, he established school records for receptions and receiving yards in leading the Raiders to the Div. 5 North crown last year. More than one high school football coach said Korte could star at the next level but his desire for basketball won out.
“I just love basketball more, I could be in this gym until midnight, that’s how much I love basketball,” Korte said. “I know I am pretty good at football, but I just don’t love it as much.”
What Korte would really love is one more trip to the Garden. He kept his team in the game, scoring 16 of his 21 points in the first half as Watertown led for much of the way before falling to eventual state champion Hanover, 46-40.
“It was a great feeling, stepping on that court for the first time and taking it all in,” Korte said. “Every team we made a big play, you could hear our fans yelling. You could see how happy they were for us.”
Even happier than John Korte stayed in Watertown.
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