Jonny on the spot

After watching his team come within one game of the Elite Eight, Jonny Reese is back on the court for the Huskies

Media Credit: Michael Martin/Managing Editor Senior guard Jonny Reese has been one of the many Huskies excelling on the hardwood this season.

A good team always has that one player who provides a little panache, a flair for the dramatic, adding some stylishness to the regular batch of players.

Just look at Dennis Rodman and the Chicago Bulls, Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys and even Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

All of these players had those qualities, and they could also back it up with their play.

Jonny Reese is that certain individual for the SCSU men’s basketball team. This season Reese has returned to the #22 ranked Huskies (14-3, 6-3 NCC) lineup, after sitting out last year with a bum right wrist. This season Reese has added that little extra attitude the squad had missed last year.

However, sitting out last year was tough on Reese, especially watching his team succeed so much without him. The Huskies were one game away from going to the Division II Elite Eight, and finished with a 25-6 record.

“From an individual standpoint it was a bummer watching,” Reese said. “But it was fun to see the guys go so far. I feel that with me in there, we could’ve gone even farther. But watching like that, and not playing was hard. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody who is competitive like I am.”

Reese still doesn’t know how the injury occurred last season. The coaching staff thought it happened in a non-conference game against Bemidji State, while Reese felt it was just over-usage of his wrist over a period of time. The tissue broke down in the wrist, and he was relegated to practicing with only using his left hand.

Nonetheless, practicing only made it worse. Reese would always tweak it while playing. The only solution was giving the wrist a rest, and giving basketball some time off.

“It kind of put us behind the eight-ball last year,” head coach Kevin Schlagel said, referring to Reese’s injury. “We missed his experience last year. But, we also gained confidence with him out. It sent Alex (Carlson) to the forefront. Alex had only played in a couple of games, and it forced him into action. But now, we’re a better team because of all of that.”

Now Carlson is sidelined with a broken left index finger, and it has forced Reese to step up even more and provide some veteran leadership. He has done more than his fair share.

Reese is the team’s second leading scorer at 10.9 ppg, and is arguably the team’s best defender along with Jason Kron. Still, the senior isn’t satisfied, and wants to continue to improve.

“At the beginning of the season I wasn’t playing well,” he admitted. “I’ve been playing more consistently of late and that has helped. When I’m hoopin’, I lead the team and try and take control of the game. If anybody’s hoopin’, they should do the same thing and take on the leadership role.”

Reese takes the most pride in his defense, though. On any given night he has shown the ability to stop the opponent’s best perimeter player.

“I like offense, but there’s something different about defense,” Reese said. “There’s nothing like handcuffing somebody who wants to score. I’ve always been a good defender, ever since the fourth grade. I’ve made teams because of my ‘D.’ ”

His coach agreed about his defensive prowess, but added that Reese is quite offensively talented as well.

“Reese and Kron always defend the other team’s best player,” Schlagel said. “Jonny’s so athletic, he’s able to do a lot. He can shoot from the perimeter, create his own shot, and he’s made himself a good player. I enjoy his enthusiasm, and he’s a big factor in why we’ve reached the next level.”

Going into the season, Schlagel said he would give Reese the chance to win back his starting role. Yet, he liked what Reese would give him off the bench as a sixth man. Reese has averaged 24.4 minutes a game, and has played even more of late. Reese says he doesn’t mind coming off the bench, and he knew things would be different for him going into the year.

“I knew the coaching staff was going to go with me as the sixth man,” he said. “I did earn my starting role here though. Though my perception is not reality. But I get my minutes, so I’m not complaining. Minutes are earned. But there is something about having your name called when you’re starting. There’s something about that spotlight being on you.”

The spotlight has been on Reese many times. The 6’2”, 220-pound guard from Minneapolis-Lutheran High started his collegiate career at Fergus Falls Community College. As a JUCO player, Reese garnered All- State and All-Region honors. He helped FFCC win the 97-98 NJCAA national title.

In the 99-00 season, Reese became one of the Huskies. He averaged 13.9 ppg, and led the team in treys with 39. He led the Huskies into the 2000 NCAA Tournament but they lost to Wayne State.

However, the future is now for Reese, and he wants to get back to that championship plateau he enjoyed while at Fergus Falls. In addition, he also knows his time at SCSU is limited, and wants this season to be something to build on.

“I want to see us go to the national championship,” he said with starry eyes. “This is my last year to get noticed though. I think I have a real opportunity to play pro. Whether it be overseas, or in a developmental league, I think I have a shot. This is just a pit-stop for me. There are bigger things for me than just college basketball.”

The political science major will be graduating this spring. After he does leave, perhaps there will be a 2001 championship banner hanging from the rafters in Halenbeck. Possibly wishful thinking, but Reese will be remembered for making the Huskies look, as he put it,“pretty.”

---

Andy Rennecke can be reached at: [email protected]

Email Story to a Friend        Printer Friendly Version