'

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Koenig picks

Catholic U.

for basketball

Swingman finished career as one of B-CC's all-time greats

by John Y. Wehmueller | Staff Writer

Over the course of four years, Bethesda-Chevy Chase senior Nate Koenig quietly put together one of the most solid all-around boys basketball careers in the school's history.

On the heels of that career, Koenig has announced that he will play next season at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

 

"It was an easy decision," Koenig said. "First of all, I wanted to be close to home. I didn't want a very big school, I wanted it to be somewhat small. I also wanted to be either in a city or near a city. Out of the schools that were interested in me, Catholic seemed like the best fit."

Koenig was a four-year varsity player and three-year starter for the Barons during one of the historic program's most successful spells. In his four years at B-CC, the team won 73 games and lost 25, reaching the 2007 state final and '08 semifinals.

The Barons also reached back-to-back state tournaments in 1959-60, '73-74 and '83-84. They went to four state finals between 1970 and '76, and won championships in 1959 and 1983.

Koenig holds a significant place in that storied history. According to the school's records, he ranks among B-CC's career top 10 in five key statistical categories: first in 3-pointers made (73), fourth in assists (191), fifth in free-throw percentage (77.65), seventh in points (840) and among the top 10 in rebounding (361). He has also played more varsity games (83) than anyone in Barons history.

"He was a big part of those teams," B-CC coach Steve Thompson said. "You're looking at scoring, rebounding, assists; those are some pretty decent stats by the man. … I think Nate did recruiting the right way. Catholic really fit the bill."

The NCAA Division III Cardinals recently finished a 19-9 season, reaching the semifinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament. Koenig listed fellow D-III programs Randolph-Macon (

Va.

) and Hood Colleges as his other top suitors.

Koenig said he will participate in some of the team's offseason workouts and pickup games over the next few months. Head coach Steve Howes and his staff will officially welcome the 6-foot-4 wing player to campus in the fall.

"They're telling me I'll definitely have to work for a spot once I get there," Koenig said. "That's what I wanted; I didn't want anything handed to me, I wanted to work for it."