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Steamboat Springs — Scott Peterson is getting a second chance.

After constant injuries during his senior year thwarted any chance for the 2006 Steamboat Springs High School graduate to play college basketball, a healthy body and a change of schools have given him an opportunity.

And that's really all Peterson wants.

"I figured 'Hey, why not give it a shot?'" said Peterson, who will transfer from Colorado State University to Mesa State College and hopes to make the basketball team. "I've just been working to get back in shape."

Peterson, who started in his last three years of high school play and captained the team his junior and senior years, said he's been in contact with the Mesa staff and that they've encouraged him to come and play.

Although he doesn't have a spot on the team, the coaches already have enrolled him in Intermediate Basketball, a one-credit course taught by the coaching staff. Essentially, Peterson said, the class consists of about 10 guys who are battling to make the team. Sometimes the coaches will take one, and sometimes they won't.

"You meet and have pickup games," Peterson said of the class. "Then, the coaches decide on who they like."

Peterson said he didn't look too hard his senior year for a place to play basketball. But, after refining his game during pickup games at Colorado State, the itch to play started to get to Peterson.

He was going to transfer to Mesa, regardless of sports, to study business and sports management, and he figured basketball might be an option.

"We're extremely excited for him," said former Steamboat basketball coach Kelly Meek, who recommended Peterson to the Mesa coaches for his work ethic. "One thing they are getting is an extremely hard worker who knows how to defend and how to battle."

Peterson was a first-team All-Western Slope selection in his junior and senior seasons. Meek said that during Peterson's sophomore and junior years, the teen always was matched up with the opposing team's best player.

"I just missed basketball so much," Peterson said. "I had to give it another try."

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com