Friday, April 16, 2010
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Basketball player Josh Chojnacki of Mercyhurst Prep in Erie, Pa., has signed a national letter of intent with Youngtown State University.
Chojnacki, a 6-foot-9 post, was a four-year letterwinner at Mercyhurst Prep was named an Associated Press Class AA First-Team All-Pennsylvania selection.
As a senior, Chojnacki averaged 21.6 points and 11 rebounds per game and finished his career as the second leading scorer in Mercyhurst Prep history with 1,321 points and as the school’s all-time leading rebounder with 775 boards.
“Josh epitomizes the concept of student-athlete,” YSU coach Jerry Slocum said. “He is an exceptional student and has the potential to become a great basketball player.”
Chojnacki said, “Youngstown State has been recruiting me since my junior year. I liked the campus, and it’s close to home so my family can see me play.
“The Horizon League is a great league and playing against national championship contenders was very appealing,” Chojnacki said.
Chojnacki, a two-time region player of the year, helped Mercyhurst Prep to a 48-8 record during his junior and senior season — the best two-year total in school history. Mercyhurst was 25-4 mark in 2009-10.
“He comes from a high school program that stresses fundamentals and stresses the importance of academics,” said Slocum, who noted that a player with Chojnacki’s size and skills can be a tough match up in the Horizon League.
“In the Horizon League, when you have a post player that can step out and hit the perimeter jump shot, which Josh does extremely well, and have the ability to score around the basket it makes for a very special player,” Slocum said.