Athlete of the Week: Josh Morrisette ‘22
By PHIN GIBBS and ROXANE PARK
Compared by his teammates and coaches to the likes of basketball legends Larry Bird, Demar Derozen, and Jayson Tatum, senior and boys’ varsity basketball captain Josh Morrisette is a driven force of nature on the court. Indeed, since arriving at the Academy as a new lower, Morrisette has been a star on the basketball team, an enthusiastic Red Bandit, and a caring presence in the community.
Morrisette grew up in a very athletically-competitive family. “My brother played three sports growing up. Both of my parents played basketball in college. My mom played basketball and softball and then they both ended up being coaches. My dad coached at the college level, so I grew up in a gym,” Morrisette said.
Morrisette had not considered attending the Academy until his first year at Exeter High School. “I'd come watch games, watch practices, and that's kind of how I got involved in the basketball program. I would watch from afar. I wanted to chase after my dream of becoming a Division One basketball player and PEA was the place to do it,” Morrisette said.
Morrisette reached out to head basketball coach Jay Tilton in his lower year, and Tilton recognized Morrisette’s incredible initiative. “He brought himself to PEA…We didn't recruit him here,” Tilton said. “He was really happy to be at Exeter High, as a leader in that community, but he wanted to challenge himself in some different ways.”
Morrisette felt immediately welcomed by the basketball team after stepping on campus. "The team wanted to get to know me . . . both as a player and as a person.” Morrisette said. “Basketball was kind of the only place where I could get away. I struggled with schoolwork at first. I struggled to put myself out there and make friends, but when I walked across the street to the gym, all of that went away and I was able to be who I am.”
In his lower year, the basketball team pulled off some incredible wins. “Cushing Academy came to our place on a Saturday. They were coming off an incredible performance in a national tournament,” Morrisette said. “I went for 26 points and the team altogether played unbelievably. We beat them by 10 points, in front of a huge crowd. That's a moment I'll never forget because they were one of the top teams in the country.”
Now, as a captain, Morrisette emphasized the importance of staying true to their goal of winning the New England Championship, “hanging a banner,” and taking it day by day. “We really have to connect with each other on the court like we do off the court,” Morrisette said. “We have a team that could be really good, but if we don’t get better, we won’t be better.”
Upper and team member Paolo Belfiore agreed. “[Josh] is super driven as our captain. Even in our struggle with COVID, he encourages us to make the most of our season,” Belfiore said. “He is pushing us the most he can and he does a great job of setting the tempo, and keeping everybody in line. He makes sure that he is not focused on himself, knowing that he’s got this captain role.”
Similarly, post-graduate Chandler Pigge commended Josh for his leadership “He set out clear goals for us and let us know how to build ourselves up for the season. His impact as a leader has been amazing.”
Pigge also appreciated how Morrisette helped bring post-graduates to Exeter. “He was very welcoming about Exeter and inviting, he helped us become part of the basketball program and the community in general,” Pigge said.
Robbie Stankard ‘21, former captain of the boys’ varsity basketball team, credited Morrisette’s work ethic. “Josh is the most competitive person I’ve ever met, in the best way. He is the epitome of what you want in a teammate in that he’s giving his all, 100 percent of the time.”
Tilton agreed. “Josh has a level of tenacity and competitiveness that’s off the charts,” Tilton said. “He’s left an indelible, positive mark on the team. Given what he’s played thus far, he would be known as one of the better players and people we've had in the long line of this program. He’s a great leader. He’s just a fun, loving guy. People like being around him. I think that is what’s gonna carry him in whatever challenge he faces moving forward.”
“[Josh] is so proud of Exeter . . . in the sense that he takes it very much to his heart that this is his place, this is his area,” Belfiore added. “I know he really wants to win and wants the best for Exeter.”
Morrisette is currently committed to playing Division 1 basketball at Wofford College, fulfilling one of his lifelong goals. “I really didn't care how many offers I got, I just wanted the right school. And when Wofford reached out, I knew that’s where I wanted to go,” Morrisette reflected.
“I think [Josh] will always be determined to reach his goals, whether it be in college sports or academics. He knows what he wants to do, and he knows what he has to do to get there. So long as you have that in life, I mean, you can reach anything you want,” Pigge said. “I know there’s definitely more to come for him.”
