By Taylor Gilkeson
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown High senior Luke Bechtel had a dream become reality last month.
On Oct. 14, Bechtel received his first collegiate basketball scholarship from Wheeling University.
Bechtel’s journey to this moment has been a story of perseverance and hard work. The 6-foot-4 senior has battled back from two separate ACL injuries — the first occurred his freshman year during a football practice. Bechtel went through rehabilitation following surgery to return to MHS’s basketball camp in January. He suffered his second ACL injury last July while playing an AAU game in Louisville, limiting his junior season to only 12 games.
These setbacks have certainly not been easy for Bechtel, but his mindset has always been focused on the future.
“For the first week, you are just upset and frustrated, like why me? You then realize everything will be good if you do things the right way and work hard,” Bechtel said. “It was pretty humbling, though. It just puts everything in perspective.”
After his second ACL injury, Bechtel went through extensive rehab to get back on the court. Playing in 12 games for the Mohigans last season, he averaged 5.8 points and 4 rebounds per game.
“I felt pretty confident in my leg, but when I watched the film it didn’t look like me. I just wasn’t as impactful as I wanted to be,” Bechtel said. “I wasn’t as fast, strong or explosive. I was probably playing at 80% of my former self.”
Head coach Dave Tallman lauded Bechtel’s determination to return to the court last season.
“Luke is a winner. He wanted so badly to play the way he’s capable of, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Him even getting back to the court last year was unbelievable,” Tallman said. “There is nobody more hungry to prove himself than Luke and he’s putting the work in and we’re seeing the results.”
Bechtel has made the most of every opportunity on the court. Most importantly, he made a strong impression on Wheeling head coach Chris Richardson. Playing in Pittsburgh this fall, Bechtel’s play garnered attention.
“When coach Richardson saw him dominate in the fall league game, he told me Luke was his guy,” Tallman said.
Richardson went to Morgantown’s flex day practice the next week and offered him a scholarship on the spot. When Richardson pulled Bechtel aside after practice, Bechtel had no idea what was about to happen next.
“I was not expecting that. I thought he just came to watch and see how we ran things,” he said. “It felt good. Some validation to know everything you did was worth it.”
Bechtel’s success in spite of his injuries made the moment even more special for his coach.
“I don’t ever remember a player having two major reconstructive knee surgeries and receiving a college offer before the next season started,” Tallman said. “It really speaks volumes about Luke and his relentless approach to his rehab.”
Tallman has been very impressed with his team and is eager to see what a healthy Bechtel can do.
“He’s been relentless in the weight room and is getting shots up every day on his own. He’s a man on a mission,” Tallman said. “This is a great story about a great kid and I know Luke wants to put the icing on the cake with a great senior season.”
As Bechtel’s career at MHS enters its final season, his mission is to make the most of every moment.
“As a team, our expectations are to win the first Class 4A state championship, but personally, I just want to make my family proud and compete every game and every second I am in,” he said.
The Mohigans begin their season with an away contest against New Philadelphia (Ohio) on Dec. 11.
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