Better late than never for Houseknecht, WNY

In what was an entertaining and successful (two state titles) boys basketball season for Western New York, the area got its only Division I commitment from the 2008 senior class about as late as you could.

Jake Houseknecht of Olean will stay and play in his hometown at St. Bonaventure; his first season will be 2009-2010 after redshirting as a freshman.

While Houseknecht never thought of attending St. Bonaventure, the school -- and other Division I programs -- were not thinking of recruiting him until the senior raised his game in the Huskies' great run to the Class B state championship. Talk about putting it all together: Houseknecht put together enough Division I flashes in the postseason that he earned a scholarship offer from Bucknell.

"I didn't get any Division I attention until the end when I played real well," he said.

The Hun School and Blair Academy, two top prep schools located in New Jersey, were also interested in Houseknecht. They both pitched a scenario that a season of prep school play would have increased Houseknecht's recruiting stock and brought in more scholarship offers.

However, Houseknecht was never keen on a year of prep school. With the way Houseknecht ended the season, one would think he would be able to gain more attention, but he might be even in a better situation red-shirting at Bona. Houseknecht will get that year of preparation and conditioning (Houseknecht is only 17) next season at Bona practices -- and he'll be doing it while learning from the coaching staff and playing against his future teammates.

Houseknecht credited Olean coach Jeff Anastasia as well as coaching brothers Mike (Pioneer) and Jeff Haskell (Franklinville), who coached Houseknecht on their AAU team.

"Both Jeff and Mike have always helped me and have always tried to get me to play with more confidence, and coach 'A' has been a great help talking to coaches and of course doing a great job during the year," said Houseknecht. "I talk to coach 'A' a lot, like once a week. They all know I'm really thankful to them. They've done a great job with me."

---Keith McShea

Comments

[hoopster]

Congrats Jake!! And Happy Mother's Day Mrs. Houseknecht!!!