By Adam Krebs
sportseditor@themonroetimes.com
BRODHEAD - Standout basketball star J.J. Panoske has finally landed on a college decision. After accepting and then spurning an offer to play at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in the summer of 2009, the 6-foot, 10-inch senior forward selected the Phoenix top rival - UW-Milwaukee.
"Being able to play for a respectable coach like coach (Rob) Jeter, and the city (of Milwaukee), were big factors," Panoske said. "Coach (Jeter) helped make me feel comfortable recruitment-wise."
With his lengthy frame and outside shooting ability, Panoske said he would fit in well with the Panthers offense. Jeter has six players on his current roster that are over 6 feet, 8 inches tall, so Panoske knows he won't be asked to be the main post player right away.
"With coach Jeter and how he spreads out the offense, I think it will give me an opportunity to play outside more than inside, which is what I feel my ability is more ready for," Panoske said, who averaged 21.8 points per game with Brodhead last year as a junior. "They are recruiting more big guys that already have size and play in the post as well, so that is really going to help out."
Being courted by Bradley, Evansville, Toledo, Colorado State, UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee, Panoske had his pick of mid-major conference teams.
"One of the major reasons though was my dad. He's raised me my whole life by himself and now he can come watch me play," Panoske said.
Brodhead's big-man was close to becoming a member of the Big East. Panoske said that Boston College was showing interest and was ready to throw their Silver Eagles jersey onto the court.
"They were likely going to offer in about a month. They wanted me to come out for a visit and have the coach see me first, but I just didn't feel like going that far away from home. My friends and family are so much more important," Panoske said.
Panoske will join a few other small-town Wisconsin players at the city university. Evan Richard of Cuba City and Kyle Kelm of Randolph will be playing for the Panthers this winter.
"I play for Randolph for AAU and I talk to Kyle sometimes when I go up there," Panoske said. "Evan and I know each other and talk quite a bit. Some of the guys on the team text me every day. They've gotten to be pretty good friends (with me), and that helped make me feel comfortable with my decision."
UW-Milwaukee went 20-8 a year ago and reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament in 2005, something Panoske said intrigued him.
"It shows that they have the potential to be there in the tournament. And coach Jeter too, he can put us in an area to be successful," he said.
Panoske said he will major in nutrition and some kind of sports medicine or physical therapy. He said that he learned that he can combine the areas into one major, which he was happy to hear. But until then, he remains committed to his high school team. Panoske admitted that just because he has committed to play Division I college basketball doesn't mean he won't have anything to prove.
"I need to prove myself to some people. I play in a smaller conference and now we are in Division 3 for the playoffs, so we don't really know what to expect. We have to make a name for ourselves," he said.
Panoske also plans to run cross country this fall to stay in shape for basketball and may participate in track and field this spring.
sportseditor@themonroetimes.com
BRODHEAD - Standout basketball star J.J. Panoske has finally landed on a college decision. After accepting and then spurning an offer to play at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in the summer of 2009, the 6-foot, 10-inch senior forward selected the Phoenix top rival - UW-Milwaukee.
"Being able to play for a respectable coach like coach (Rob) Jeter, and the city (of Milwaukee), were big factors," Panoske said. "Coach (Jeter) helped make me feel comfortable recruitment-wise."
With his lengthy frame and outside shooting ability, Panoske said he would fit in well with the Panthers offense. Jeter has six players on his current roster that are over 6 feet, 8 inches tall, so Panoske knows he won't be asked to be the main post player right away.
"With coach Jeter and how he spreads out the offense, I think it will give me an opportunity to play outside more than inside, which is what I feel my ability is more ready for," Panoske said, who averaged 21.8 points per game with Brodhead last year as a junior. "They are recruiting more big guys that already have size and play in the post as well, so that is really going to help out."
Being courted by Bradley, Evansville, Toledo, Colorado State, UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee, Panoske had his pick of mid-major conference teams.
"One of the major reasons though was my dad. He's raised me my whole life by himself and now he can come watch me play," Panoske said.
Brodhead's big-man was close to becoming a member of the Big East. Panoske said that Boston College was showing interest and was ready to throw their Silver Eagles jersey onto the court.
"They were likely going to offer in about a month. They wanted me to come out for a visit and have the coach see me first, but I just didn't feel like going that far away from home. My friends and family are so much more important," Panoske said.
Panoske will join a few other small-town Wisconsin players at the city university. Evan Richard of Cuba City and Kyle Kelm of Randolph will be playing for the Panthers this winter.
"I play for Randolph for AAU and I talk to Kyle sometimes when I go up there," Panoske said. "Evan and I know each other and talk quite a bit. Some of the guys on the team text me every day. They've gotten to be pretty good friends (with me), and that helped make me feel comfortable with my decision."
UW-Milwaukee went 20-8 a year ago and reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament in 2005, something Panoske said intrigued him.
"It shows that they have the potential to be there in the tournament. And coach Jeter too, he can put us in an area to be successful," he said.
Panoske said he will major in nutrition and some kind of sports medicine or physical therapy. He said that he learned that he can combine the areas into one major, which he was happy to hear. But until then, he remains committed to his high school team. Panoske admitted that just because he has committed to play Division I college basketball doesn't mean he won't have anything to prove.
"I need to prove myself to some people. I play in a smaller conference and now we are in Division 3 for the playoffs, so we don't really know what to expect. We have to make a name for ourselves," he said.
Panoske also plans to run cross country this fall to stay in shape for basketball and may participate in track and field this spring.
