17 April 2001
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206
IWU Lands Two Conference MVPs as
Basketball RecruitsBLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Basketball standouts Jon Shafer of Geneva High School and Steve Jeretina of Buffalo Grove High School, both of whom were "Most Valuable Players" in their respective conferences this winter, have announced they will attend Illinois Wesleyan University to continue their academic and athletic careers, IWU athletic director Dennie Bridges announced today.
"These players are two important additions as 'MVPs' in outstanding suburban conferences," said Bridges, who retired as basketball coach last month but has done the recruiting work on high school players this winter. "They have both visited campus and met [new IWU coach] Scott Trost and are both happy to be staying with Illinois Wesleyan during the coaching change."
The 6-foot-4, 200 pound Shafer averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game playing for a team that finished 21-5. An 80 percent free throw shooter, he was the "Most Valuable Player" in the Suburban Prairie Red Conference and was a two-time first team all-conference selection.
"Jon has a chance to be our next outstanding player," said Bridges. "He can play inside or outside and is more than just a scorer. He is an excellent passer and rebounder."
As a junior and senior, Shafer was named to the all-area squads selected by the Daily Herald, the Kane County Chronicle, and the Aurora Beacon-News.
The son of Jeff and Judy Shafer, 729 Brigham Ct., Geneva, Jon ranks in the top 10 percent of his high school class and plans to major in biology at IWU.
The 6-foot-6, 215 pound Jeretina was the "Player of the Year" in the Mid-Suburban East Conference as he averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game. He was a first team all-league and all-area selection as a forward.
"Steve is a solid post player whose greatest strength is rebounding," said Bridges. "He is a big, strong kid who goes after every missed shot."
The son of Mike and Rosie Jeretina, 2902 N. Windsor Dr., Arlington Heights, Steve plans to major in a pre-physical therapy curriculum at IWU.