College Commitment: Stevie Schlabach (2019 Tigard HS)
When it came down to it, finding a place to play his college basketball career was about finding the right fit. On Thursday at Tigard High School in front of family, teammates, friends, and classmates, Stevie Schlabach made it official. The sweet-shooting 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior put pen to paper to sign his letter-of-intent to attend and play hoops at Northwest Christian University.
“It’s kind of a relief as the recruiting process was good but it was also a little stressful,” Schlabach said. “With NCU, I visited there a month ago and I love the school – I think it’s a great fit for me. I love the coaches and I love the team and I think I’ll have a lot of fun playing ball there.”
The signing caps off what was a phenomenal senior season for Schlabach. In addition to leading Tigard in scoring and helping the Tigers reach the state tournament for the first time since 2002, the Three Rivers League Player of the Year also ended his high school career as Tigard’s all-time leading scorer with over 1,600 points. There’s no doubt he will be impossible to replace in more ways than one.
“He’s had a great career on the court but he’s an even better kid off the court which makes him special,” said Tigard head coach Shawn Alderman. “He comes in every day with a smile on his face and does whatever you want him to do, he’s a great teammate, he’s been great in the halls of Tigard High, and he’s great in the community. He led us in every offensive category and led us off the court too.”
Schlabach is a shooter that can score at all three levels, but also excelled this season on the boards and on defense. He certainly put in the time during his high school career to improve on his game, but college is another step up – one that he’s preparing himself for.
“I’ve got to put in a lot of work this off-season to prepare myself for the next level,” Schlabach said. “This year in high school I was playing post and I was out of position, so there I’m going to be playing on the wing again so I need to work on my craft a little bit and get my handles right.”
It was a special day for Schlabach who can look back on his high school career with a lot of pride. “This season was one to remember definitely, not just because I’m a senior but we made it to the state championships which was the first time in 17 years which was huge,” It was a season that I’ll never forget and will live on with me forever. It was a great experience.
With his signing, Schlabach joins in-state signees Cole McAninch (South Eugene) and Luke Burke (Willamette) in NCU’s current incoming class. Schlabach currently ranks as the #8 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2019 rankings.
Stevie Schlabach, his parents, and Tigard head coach Shawn Alderman