State tournament hero, Mark Pancratz, will be
headed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee next year
News & Notes
After leading his Schaumburg High School team to a Class AA Illinois State title, Mark
Pancratz has now committed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and new head
coach Bruce Pearl. With Pancratz close to committing to Eastern Illinois,
he opted for Wisconsin-Milwaukee, despite their tardiness in getting involved in his
recruiting, which was excused due to Pearl being a rookie with the Panthers. Averaging 18
points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in leading his Saxons to a 29-3 record that climaxed with
a 66-54 upset win over top-ranked Thornwood for the state title.
Canceling a visit to Rider, Rock Fall's 6'8" Bryan Boerjan has
finally decided that he will attend Samford University next year. "They play a
Princeton-style offense so they are excited about the skills he can bring in," said Thom
Sigel, who coached Rock Falls last year, but has recently accepted an offer as
the head man at Rock Island High School. "I think this is a good system for him as
well. It's an excellent school that has won and made it to the tournament and he got along
well with all their players." Averaging 17 points, 8.5 rebounds, while shooting
56-percent from the floor and 48-percent from the 3-point line, Bryan helped Rock Falls
finish 21-5 this past season.
A 6'7" defensive work-horse, Peoria Richwood's Marcus Jackson is
headed to South Plains Junior College in Levelland, Texas. Helping lead his Knights to a
Class AA Elite Eight appearance, Marcus achieved the qualifying ACT score, but was without
the necessary work required in the classroom. It is also a possibility that Marcus' former
Richwoods teammate, before he transferred last year to Manual, and best friend, Tony
Gulley, could join him at South Plains.
Monmouth's all-time leading scorer, Jake Sottos will play ball next
season at Southeastern Junior College. A 6'3" combo-guard, Jake averaged 26 points, 9
rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals per game as a senior. In picking Southeastern, Sottos has
selected a winner, as they return this year coming off of their NJCAA national
championship in 2000. In three years of varsity at Monmouth, Jake has accumulated more
then 2,000 points, 600 rebounds and 500 assists for a stellar career with the Zippers.
Jamal Washington, a 6'5" never-say-die power forward for
Westinghouse, will be suiting up for Wabash Junior College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois next
season. A relentless worker of the glass, Jamal also possess the ability to handle the
ball on the perimeter.
