Sierra Lutheran’s Marcus Jones, front row middle, smiles alongside his teammates, friends, coaches and family after signing his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
Sierra Lutheran High School senior Marcus Jones made his college decision official Tuesday, penning his commitment to Bethel College men’s basketball program.
Jones led the Falcons in scoring all three seasons he competed at the varsity level, finishing his high school career with more than 1,000 points.
He doesn’t plan to take his opportunity at the next level for granted.
“It means everything. I feel like this is what every high school athlete looks forward to,” Jones said. “All the late nights in the gym and not wanting to go. Being sore or whatever it was and just pushing through to go the gym and put in the extra hours.”
His senior year, Sierra Lutheran made the jump from Class 1A to Class 2A, but it didn’t slow the guard’s production.
In his final season in a Falcon uniform, Jones scored 369 points with 93 rebounds and 30 steals.
The most vivid moment of his high school career will be his 39-point outing his senior season where he knocked down six triples and grabbed seven rebounds.
Sierra Lutheran lost that game in overtime, 78-71, but Jones said the effort from the entire team took the sting out of the loss.
“Even though we lost, it didn’t feel like a loss. The team played well. I think that was the best game we played all season,” said Jones. “We felt amazing even though we lost and we battled all the way through.”
Jones said he tries to get up 500 shots a day, adding that his ability to get the ball in the basket is one of his strengths on the floor.
“That’s something I put a lot of time into. I think that’s what’s really helped my shooting be great,” Jones said.
He has yet to visit his next home, but the excitement of his next chapter is evident.
Bethel College, which is located in North Newton, Kansas, competes at the NAIA level in the Kansas City Athletic Conference.
This past winter, the Threshers went 15-14 overall with an 11-11 record in conference place.
Kansas will be a change of pace, but Jones thinks the new environment will suit him.
“Talking to both coaches it sounds very much like the small town feel that Douglas County already has so I hope it’ll be a seamless transition,” said Jones.
Jones said his plans are to study history and secondary education once he’s on campus. He hopes to become a teacher and a coach in the future.