By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON-After much debate and consideration, former Jaguars senior Anthony Guarascio has picked Lakeland University to continue his education.
What might come as a surprise to some, is that he will play basketball instead of football.
The division three school is a liberal arts college that has its main campus in Plymouth, WI.
It has an undergraduate enrollment of just over 3000 students and has athletes that compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.
“Right after the high school football season ended I was all in to play college football, “ said Guarascio. “I had several division two offers. However, once basketball season started and I was in the gym, everything kind of changed for me. My heart said to continue on the hardwood.”
The last two seasons for Guarascio have provided some memorable moments both as a quarterback and off guard on the basketball team.
In football, as a Junior, he played some receiver while buying his time at the lead position.
What did he do his senior season?
He passed for over 2000 yards, garnered first team all-conference honors, and led his team to the playoffs.
On the hardwood, Guarascio was a three-year varsity performer.
By the end of his sophomore season he was starting and averaging more than six points per game for former coach John Miron.
As an upper-classmen, he came into his own pouring in double figures in points and averaging over six rebounds per game as a small forward.
This past year, in a Jaguars uniform, was a thing to behold under new basketball coach Chris Karcz.
At times, Guarascio put on a shooting display like he was at an NBA combine.
The ooohs and aaahs could be heard from every corner of the high school gymnasium he was playing in.
When it was all said and done in late February, the star guard was named first team all-conference, and averaged over 21.0 points per game.
In addition, he brought down over eight rebounds a contest and for good measure added a steal in as well.
Despite the team finishing with just five wins, Guarascio amazingly had eight games in which he scored 25 points or more in.
The Muskies basketball team competes in the NACC Conference which includes teams from Illinois and Michigan and teams from the Badger state such as Madison Edgewood, Marian, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Wisconsin Lutheran.
The team is coming off a 16-10 season (12-8 in conference) one in which they won five of their last seven regular season games.
The Muskies have five seniors on their current roster, and Guarascio will look to break into the rotation early and often but knows it’s a process.
“I graduated just yesterday,” added Guarascio. “I want to enjoy being around my friends at Ashwaubenon for awhile to start the summer. Then it’s time to get down to work. I’m so excited to continue my journey in basketball. It is where I’m most happy right now in my life.”