Ehler signs with Wesleyan

Paxton Ehler, a senior guard and four-year varsity baskeball player at Sidney High School, signed his letter of intent on Wednesday to attend and play for Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln next fall.

While Ehler was recruited by about 10 schools since the beginning of last basketball season--and the Lincoln school was always in the running--he decided on Wesleyan late in the process.

"Me and my family have traveled to Lincoln a few times every year and I've always liked Lincoln," Ehler said. "When it all came down to it, I knew Wesleyan was where I wanted to be."

Another draw, said Ehler, has to do with family. Ehler's brother Bowdy lives in Lincoln with his family. He has also accumulated about 15 Wesleyan credits, which will help him as he pursues a degree in business.

Among the other schools vying for Ehler's attention were the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Concordia, Doane and several junior colleges. Ehler finally made up his mind while having lunch with his father in mid-December.

Ehler's father is Jay Ehler, Superintendant of Sidney Schools. His mother is West Elementary School principal Sheri Ehler.

"I always talked to my Dad about it and one day we were just sitting there talking and it just clicked for me," Ehler said. "Literally in mid-conversation I just thought, 'you know this sounds great. This is where I need to be."'

After the Chase County game on Satuday afternoon, Ehler retreated into the locker room and made the call to Prairie Wolves' Head Coach Cam Schuknecht. The school Ehler will join is having a solid season. The Wolves are a Division III school and play in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

One of the reasons Wesleyan was able to land the Raiders leading scorer is that Coach Schuknecht kept in close touch with Ehler. During the recruiting process he had contacted Ehler on a weekly basis.

For Ehler, he's happy to have finally arrived at a decision, but he's enjoyed the process.

"It's been a lot of fun. How many people get to be recruited?" said Ehler. "I've had the chance to visit some nice schools and play basketball against some really good college-level players."