Patrick Scott plays college basketball out in California’s wine country.

So when Sonoma State coach Pat Fuscaldo discusses how the Bear River High graduate is developing on the court during his freshman season, he can’t help but analogize to the grapes growing on vines out in his neck of the woods.

“You have to be patient and let him come along until he’s ready,” Fuscaldo said.

Scott already has the physical tools and many of the skills necessary to compete at the NCAA Division II level, according to Fuscaldo. Still, like many freshmen making the adjustment from high school to college hoops, Scott is not yet the player his coach believes he’s capable of being.

“The college game is so much faster,” Fuscaldo said. “It’s not just player movement, it’s game movement – your reads have to be faster.

“That comes with repetition. The more he gets, the better he’s going to be.”

Fuscaldo was quick to praise Scott for doing what he can to speed up the development process. Earlier this week, when Sonoma State’s players were given a day off from practice, Fuscaldo found Scott working out in the weight room “so he can get to his spots quicker.”

“He wants to elevate his game,” the coach said. “He knows we need him. That’s the kind of work ethic he has.”

Scott has had to adjust to more than the speed of the college game. In addition to handling a full academic load off the court and playing two positions – shooting guard and forward – on it, he’s no longer his team’s main scoring option as he was in high school.

“I’m more of a defensive player now,” said Scott, who holds Bear River’s records for points scored in a career and a single season as well as the Bruins’ single-season steals record. “I’m not being relied on to score 25 points a game. I’m being relied on to go in there, play defense and get rebounds.”

Scott has done a fairly good job of that. He’s second on the Seawolves (3-8, 2-4 California Collegiate Athletic Association) in rebounds with 39, 32 of which have come off the defensive glass. He’s also tied for fourth on the team in steals (six) and tied for second on the team in blocks (two).

Scoring-wise, Scott is only averaging 5.9 points in 20.3 minutes per game. However, he’s among Sonoma State’s top free-throw shooters, going 22-for-30 at the foul line.

A criminal justice major, Scott hopes to become a member of a police SWAT (Strategic Weapons and Tactics) team someday.

“I like a lot of action,” Scott said. “I don’t think I can see myself sitting around behind a desk. I like to be active, and going around saving people sounds pretty good.”

Scott still has a few years of college basketball left, however, and Fuscaldo is eager to see the player Scott will ripen into.

“He’s a great kid, and I love having him in my program,” the coach said. “He’s a guy who puts a smile on my face.”