As soon as Zoe Mesuch visited the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, she felt like she was home.

No other school elicited the same feelings, and on Wednesday, Mesuch, a junior at Wallkill Senior High School verbally committed to continue her basketball career at the Academy.

“I got a feeling that I haven’t gotten really at any other place,” Mesuch said. “It felt like home. My mom was was crying on campus to (Navy) coach (Tim) Taylor because she just had a feeling too.”

But she still had 17 other offers to consider, so she took a few more visits to other schools since the July visit to Navy. She also had received offers from area schools, Marist, and Army.

“Obviously, I’m very blessed,” Mesuch said. “It was nice to get to talk to coaches all the time and feeling the love from all the schools and going on visits, and seeing what I liked and what I didn’t like.”

And she liked Navy, which came as a surprise not only to her. At this time a year ago, if someone told her she would choose Navy, she would have been surprised.

Wallkill coach A.J. Higby certainly was.

“Stunned,” Higby said. “I am really surprised that’s where she decided to go, but I’m so proud of her to make that kind of decision because that’s not an easy decision. That’s a hard decision.”

She still must be accepted into the Naval Academy, which is considered the most difficult to get into. Then, after she graduates, she will be required to serve at least five years as an officer in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.

She’s undaunted by both.

“She is one focused kid,” Higby said. “Working hard does not scare her. That is not an issue whatsoever. When she goes to the Navy, and if she buys in, she’ll be tremendous.”

She also isn’t concerned about the Midshipmen’s recent struggles, as they posted a 1-29 record in 2022-23.

They haven’t had a winning season since 2017-18.

Additionally, the program is expected to grow in the two years it will take Mesuch to get there.

Last year, Navy was beset with injuries to their starters and was playing walk-ons and had six players at one point.

“Coach Taylor is a really good coach,” Mesuch said. “He has a great coaching staff. The way they develop their players and they’re always there (for their players).”

Mesuch has been the centerpiece of the Panthers’ offense since she emerged as an eighth grader during the COVID-19-shortened 2021 season.

She’s been leading the Panthers in scoring and two straight Section 9 Class A championships, and two trips to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association regional finals.

There is a new challenge waiting for her next two seasons. Everyone knows about her 3-point game, but last season she started going inside more when the outside shot wasn’t open. She plans to continue working on her kid-range game and defense.

“She’s going to learn how to lead this year, that’s for sure,” Higby said. “There’s the issue. She’s got to now become the leader of a team. She does well with anybody you put her with. Now, she’s got to learn to lead, and she can.”