With his long history in Suffolk and more specifically in Suffolk basketball, it’s really no surprise Franklin Chatman is only building on the connection between Suffolk and the basketball program at The Apprentice School in Newport News.

King’s Fork graduate Fred Scott will join Chatman and the Builders this coming school year, joining Nansemond River alum Latrone Demiel, who Chatman recruited last year in his first season with the Builders.

Having a chance to play college basketball close to home has made the Newport News school, which prepares students and employs them as actual apprentices for shipbuilding careers, has made the link a natural one for decades.

Chatman played at John F. Kennedy High School. Starting in 2000, he coached Nansemond River to four straight district championships. Chatman coached for two seasons at Nansemond-Suffolk before taking the job with the Builders.

Chalk up all of Chatman’s area connections for another recruiting link. Along with Scott, the Builders are bringing in players from Granby and Deep Creek for the 2011-12 season.

“We expect Fred will compete right away for the two- or three-guard position,” Chatman said.

Scott is a skilled offensive player and sweet long-range shooter. For the Bulldogs, Scott was big enough to play some in the post along with his perimeter game.

“We play with a three-guard system,” Chatman said. “We have a kid (Isaih Harrison) who’s an All-American starting as a guard so he’ll really help Fred learn the position and show him a lot about what it means to compete.”

Apprentices go to class, the same as a college student, and the varsity athletes play sports, the same as a college athlete.

Students work every day as well, making for completely full schedules. Apprentices are paid for their employment. The work truly pays off at the end of the four- or five-year apprenticeship.

“Work and going to school, yes, some kids can’t get past that,” Chatman said.

“It gets kids to a quick career path and the opportunity to work and have that career with a Fortune 500 company,” Chatman said.

There’s one more recruiting draw on the horizon for the Builders. This one has more to do with on the court. It’s also one Scott will get to play an important role in.

The Apprentice School is building a new basketball and athletics facility, along with new apartments, in downtown Newport News. The school is breaking ground this fall with the 2013-14 basketball season being the likely move-in date.