There are favorites and then there are dream schools.
For Durant ace and Florida State commit, Jonah Scolaro, other options weren’t even worth mentioning.
"Florida State was my top school," said the left-handed pitcher, Scolaro. "There was only a few schools before that, but when they came I knew I wanted to go there."
He signed to play in Tallahassee during the early signing period in November and it’s easy to see why.
FSU is a frequent College World Series contender. They’ve sent 61 players to the show. But, the biggest draw for Scolaro, legendary coach Mike Martin. Entering his 38th season he is just two wins shy of 1,900 career victories.
"Shocked that I get to go play at that high a level with a coach as big a name as him," said Scolaro.
So, what made the Noles come knocking?
"The dominance," said Durant head baseball coach Butch Valdes. "The cool factor. The way he has composure on the mound. The whole package. He does have that whole package at D-1 level."
Scolaro enters his final prep year going 17-5 over the last two seasons with a 1.23 ERA in 130 innings pitched.
"My ball is deceptive," said Scolaro. "That’s what gets a lot of people."
"He doesn’t throw," said Valdes. "He pitches. So it’s not that he’s just power pitcher. He’s got the finesse. He’s got the command."
He’s also has three district titles and a Final Four finish in 2015.
Is Scolaro anxious to take that next step as a Nole? Absolutely.
But not until claiming one last piece of high school hardware that’s escaped Durant’s program.
"A state championship," said Scolaro. "That’s what we’re looking for every year and I’m hoping that we get it this year because we have the talent."