Schaefer providing boost to New Rockford-Sheyenne basketball
It’s almost too easy to make basketball coaches gush about New Rockford-Sheyenne’s Jack Schaefer.
NRS coach Tyler Cook has constantly commended Schaefer for dedicating himself to the program and providing a much-needed leadership role. Of course, Cook also doesn’t hesitate to mention Schaefer’s ability to score at will, as the senior guard is averaging more than 27 points per game this season.
“He’s very reliable on the offensive end,” Cook said. “We lean on him pretty heavily to score for us. He’s taken on that role and done a good job at it.”
Between Schaefer’s point production and the contributions of six other seniors for the Rockets, it’s not hard to see why NRS is 8-4 this season and hopes to make a deep run in the state playoffs.
“I’m really happy with how we’re doing so far, but we still have a long way to go,” Schaefer said. “I’m even more excited about where we can go in the future.”
In the 2016-17 season, two particular contests highlight Schaefer’s ability to take over a game. The senior had 34 points in a 68-42 win against Warwick High School on Jan. 10 and dropped a season-high 42 points in a 65-62 win against then-No. 3 Northern Cass on Dec. 29.
“Every game is different and (against Northern Cass), my team called on me to score points,” Schaefer said. “I just want to do whatever I can to help us win games and that night my job was score points. But it wasn’t just me, a lot of guys played great defense and contributed to a nice team win.”
The path to a long postseason run won’t be easy for NRS. The Rockets likely have to get past fellow District 7 member Four Winds/Minnewaukan — which is 10-1 this season — at some point. In the first meeting between the two teams on Jan. 16, Four Winds won handily, 71-39. But a potential playoff re-match with the District 7 powerhouse isn’t making Schaefer or the Rockets back down.
“We love a challenge,” Schaefer said. “Competition like that doesn’t scare away. Their track record is pretty amazing but we don’t back down for anyone. We come in thinking we can play with anyone.”
Schaefer added he hopes his team can make it to regionals, where he says anything can happen. But no matter how the season ends, his basketball career will not stop at NRS.
Minot basketball fans will have the opportunity of seeing Schaefer play for the next four years, as the senior has committed to play collegiately for Minot State.
“I think about it every day,” Schaefer said. “I’m just excited. I really am blown away by how much improvement they’ve made. The way they’ve gotten better every day under coach Matt Murken is incredible. I can’t wait to be part of it and help them any way I can.”
Murken, who has boosted the Beaver program by recruiting local talent such as Bismarck native Tyler Rudolph and Devils Lake native Nathan Mertens, was first impressed by Schaefer at a summer Beaver basketball camp.
Now in his fifth year at MSU, Murken bases a portion of his recruiting on athletes who are dedicated to basketball. He said that fits Schaefer to a tee.
“I couldn’t tell you what Jack Schaefer’s best talent is on the basketball court,” Murken said. “But I can tell you if loving basketball is a talent, then that would be it. Every time he comes to our camps we ask guys to stand up and tell us what their plan is to get better. A lot of guys will say go to the gym or lift weights. But he lists off what he does every day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, after weights, ball control drills and shoot arounds.”
Murken said he wouldn’t be surprised if Schaefer turns into the next local great at MSU.
“He has a big basketball soul,” the MSU coach said. “That’s what we thought Nate Mertens had and what we thought Tyler Rudolph had. I don’t know if he’ll end up being as good as those guys, but I guarantee you he’ll be way better than a lot of people think he’ll be.”
Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge.