Jack Schenzel enters his second season at the helm of Mont Alto’s basketball team.  The team went 8-16 last year but made great strides down the stretch, winning 4 of their last 5 games. Mont Alto ranked first in the conference in two key defensive statistics, points allowed and field goal percentage defense, last season.

 “I came in last year and enjoyed the transformation of the team. We really embraced the defense first philosophy,” commented Coach Schenzel.

In year two, the coaching staff has worked hard with the returning players to further develop their skills. Also the staff was able to recruit a group of 6 student-athletes that will help add to the roster of returning players.

Most importantly, in the classroom the team GPA rose by over half a point. The players now understand the importance of a good education and are striving to be as great in the classroom as they are on the court.

A Franklin County native and athlete, Jack Schenzel has been coaching for thirteen years, half of that time was spent at the high school level and the other seven years at the collegiate level.  He is a graduate of Shippensburg University where he was a four year member of the Track and Field team.  During his career as a college athlete, he was named All ECAC (2) and All PSAC in Track and Field.  

In 1995 he began his coaching career in basketball as the Head Junior Varsity Coach at Shippensburg High School.  He then moved on to the Women’s program at Shippensburg University as the Assistant Coach.  Schenzel believes in a high energy defense, transition basketball and that the team should play every possession hard.  He says that his team should never take today for granted, play each game like it could be your last. 

 As a coach, Schenzel’s mission is to teach fundamentals with high energy to the players and sport specific skills along with life skills, while keeping in mind that the main reason the student-athlete is at school is for an education.  His goals for the 2012-2013 season are to not only win on the court, but in the classroom, as well.  Coach Schenzel is also working toward his team making it to Bryce Jordan for the Final Four Conference before making it to the USCAA National Tournament.

Favorite Quotes by John Wooden

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”