Bethel-Tate senior Brooke Jenike signs her National Letter of Intent to attend Florida Southern College to play basketball next year at a ceremony held at the high school on Nov. 24.

Bethel-Tate senior Brooke Jenike signs her National Letter of Intent to attend Florida Southern College to play basketball next year at a ceremony held at the high school on Nov. 24.
By Chris Chaney
Sun staff

Bethel-Tate High School senior basketball standout Brooke Jenike made her college plans official earlier this week when she committed to continue her athletic and academic career at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla.

“Right off the bat, I thought the campus was gorgeous,” Jenike said. “I met the coach and we clicked right away. When I stepped on the campus, it just felt right. I’ve taken a lot of college visits, so I knew what that would feel like.

“I just really like it down there, so I decided to commit and I’m really happy with my decision.”

The decision to sign a National Letter of Intent with FSC came after weighing options and offers from schools such as Queens University of Charlotte, Southeastern University in Florida and Thomas More College, among others.

During her time at Bethel, Jenike has been a constant for the Lady Tigers through her three years on varsity. Playing as a freshman, she averaged 6.5 points per game and shot just under 50 percent from the field.

During her sophomore season, Jenike stepped into a more aggressive offensive role, going for 13.2 points per game, converting 68.1 percent of her field goal attempts, and she established herself as a marksman from 3-point land, sinking 73 percent of her long-range tries. For her efforts, she was named to the First Team All-Southern Buckeye Conference.

An elbow injury held Jenike out of the first half of her junior season, but returning after the first of the year she went on to average just under 12 points per game. Even still, Jenike was honored as a Second Team All-SBC selection.

“(Jenike signing) means a lot and shows everyone that hard work pays off,” Bethel-Tate head coach Dave Fallis said. “She had some adversity last season — she missed the first half of the season with that elbow injury. Some kids may have given up at that point, but she never did. I’m proud of her; she overcame some adversity and now she’s going to a solid Division II school and is going to get a free education because she didn’t give up.”

Jenike has showcased her dedication over the years like many of the best high school athletes by making a year-round commitment to her craft, playing for various area AAU teams during the scholastic offseason.

“I started out with Cincy’s Finest and played with them for two years, then I went on to the Cincinnati Angels,” Jenike said. “(The Angels) were a great organization. I loved them and was going to play with them for my last year, but they decided not to have a team, so I had to find a new team. I decided to play with the Cincy Swish. It was a great experience and my coach, John Weilbacher, has been awesome.

“He’s done so much for me and I’m so thankful for that. He actually found (FSC) for me and made an effort to help me find a good fit for college.”

When she gets on campus in 2015-16, Jenike wants to study exercise sciences with the hope of becoming an athletic trainer or physical therapist.

But before Jenike moves on to the next part of her life and career, she and her team have some unfinished business to take care of during her senior season at Bethel.

“We lost one senior last year, so we (have a lot) back,” Jenike said. “We moved (to the National Division of the SBC), so I think we can do great. I’m really excited for this season. We’ve been practicing nonstop and doing a lot more competition stuff, which is great.

“Our goal for this year is to go 22-0 – that’s what we break down (from the huddle) with. We want to update that banner and we’re hoping to make it really far (in the tournament).”

Jenike and the Lady Tigers will begin their journey to 22-0 on Saturday, Nov. 29 when they host Ripley-Union. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.