More than 110 points in four games, 42 of which came from around the three-point arc.
That reads the 2019 provincials' scoresheet of Jackson Netzel, UNBC’s latest recruit for the 2021 men’s basketball season after the Terrace product signed with the Timberwolves today (June 19).
Netzel posted those points in the B.C. AAA Senior Boys’ tournament last year with the Caledonia Kermodes, which is a type of accuracy the team may need going into the upcoming Canada West campaign.
“I have always played the game with a lot of intensity and a lot of passion,” says the 19-year-old sophomore at UNBC’s Prince George campus in a team release.
“It allows me to become completely invested in the game. My skillset revolves completely around shooting. That was my job in high school. That’s what you can expect from me at the next level. I am going to be putting up shots.”
Of those 42 points from three-point range, nine came from Caledonia’s opening match against the Duchess Park Condors.
Netzel also received a $750 BC School Sports Zone Scholarship for his 2019 provincials' performance.
Congratulations to Jackson Netzel for receiving a BC School Sports Zone Scholarship. pic.twitter.com/TJWPYQoe5p
— BC School Sports (@BCSchoolSports) June 19, 2019
Tag that with his northern B.C. roots and Junior Timberwolves Head Coach Matt Lowndes says Netzel has potential to be a natural-born leader with Todd Jordan’s club.
“He is a quality young man that will represent UNBC with class. He has a solid foundation and diverse skill-set that will allow him to play multiple positions. It’s exciting to see another Terrace product compete for UNBC. We look forward to seeing his growth as he develops at the next level.”
Netzel chose not to try out for the Timberwolves last year to begin his studies in psychology, but was also invited to train with the 2019-20 team as the season progressed.
Dubbed as one of the province’s best shooting guards from his 2019 high-school senior year, the six-foot-three recruit says his goal has always been to play at the next level.
“For me, basketball has always been an escape from real life,” Netzel explains.
“Everything can melt away when you get on the court. Nothing else matters except playing. That’s the best feeling I have ever felt in the world, and probably will ever feel. Just playing the game and doing what I love.
“It’s going to be a learning experience. It’s going to be challenging. But I also know it’s going to be the start of the best time of my life. Being able to compete at the highest level of basketball in Canada for five years. I am going to try to set the tone my first year, and try to find my role on the team. See where I can fit in and the impact I can have. And definitely want to make a playoff run, for sure.”
Netzel is set to join his teammates in the fall to prepare for, what will be, a shortened season.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s uncertainty forced Canada West to cancel all first-term sports, meaning basketball won’t start until Jan. 1, 2021.
A decision will be made by Oct. 8 if the season will go on as planned or be sidelined altogether.
