Peetz star headed to Bethany College

Because of his joy for a game that has been part of him as long as he can remember, Josh Fiscus not only brought his considerable talents to the Peetz basketball court every game the past four years - he also brought a big smile.

Fiscus recently decided to continue playing his favorite game, signing a letter of intent to Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Fiscus will have about a third of his expenses paid with a basketball scholarship.

The player Bethany Swedes Head Coach Clair Oleen has been recruiting the past two seasons established a considerable resume during his high-school career.

Fiscus had been a four-year starter with the Bulldogs and was the team MVP in each of those seasons. He was also selected to the All-Conference Team three times and earned Honorable Mention All-State on three occasions. In addition, he was named First Team All-State and last month Fiscus was honored with a selection to the state all-star game known as "The Show."

Coach Oleen first contacted Josh in his junior year and the two have remained in touch ever since. But only after the end of the recent basketball season did Fiscus begun to get serious about playing in college. Towards the end of April, Fiscus decided to make a visit to Bethany.

"I really liked Coach Oleen. I could see he not only knows a lot about basketball but I liked the way he handled his players," said Josh. "He's really positive and seems like a great motivator."

The coach has informed Fiscus that he is likely to play on the JV team during his freshman year. After that it will be up to him and how hard he's willing to work. In the meantime he will be sent a summer-workout program to follow.

"That doesn't bother me a bit." said Fiscus. "I've been working hard my whole career and I don't intend on changing now."

The hard work Fiscus, a 5-9 guard, has put in over his high school career, shows in his impressive numbers. During his senior year Fiscus led the Bulldogs in scoring (19.9 ppg), assists (3.2 apg) and steals (2.8 spg).

In fact he led the Bulldogs in scoring the past three years.

But he also found a little time for some small ball and track. He's played on the Peetz baseball team for three years, where he was the starting second baseman this past season. He played a year of football and ran track for two years.

The skills Fiscus has developed and seems determined to improve will be brought to a program that likes to win. The Swedes, a NAIA Division II school, went 20-11 last year and 12-6 in the Kansas College Athletic Conference (KCAC).

It may seem strange that Peetz Head Coach Bill Fiscus, who happens to be Josh's father, now looks forward to actually seeing his son play. Along with his mother Dawn, the couple plan to take in as many Bethany games as possible, despite the seven or eight-hour drive.

"I haven't had the chance to watch him play as a parent and I'm really looking forward to that," said Bill Fiscus. "As a coach I had to be paying attention to the other four guys and what was happening in the big picture. When you're dealing with Xs and Os you can't be the parent."

In choosing Bethany, however, there was more to it for Josh Fiscus than just his understanding of the basketball coach and the program he runs. His primary goal is to earn a college degree from a respected school.

"The campus is gorgeous and it's a small school and a small campus and I really liked that," said Fiscus. "Academically is really where it struck me the most. I really liked the professors I met. Getting a degree from a good school is the most important thing to me."

Fiscus has decided on a dual major of business administration and sports management. He will also minor in coaching.

"I didn't push the issue and left the decision up to him," said Bill Fiscus. "I think Bethany is going to be a really good fit for him. I'm just glad that as a coach I didn't ruin his love for the game."