A pair of local high-school basketball stand-outs have committed to the Brandon University Bobcats men's basketball team. Theo Farough and Isaak Stark (pictured left, right), both soon to be grads of Brandon's Neelin High School, will red-shirt for the 'Cats starting in the fall of 2013. Both Farough and Stark have played multiple sports for the Neelin Spartans including volleyball and football, as well as leading the school's basketball team to a bronze medal this past season at the Manitoba AAA provincial championship.“We're very excited to be able to add two quality local student-athletes to our program,” says Bobcats head coach Gil Cheung. “Both have had excellent coaching here in Brandon, and have been instilled with a great work ethic and fundamentals. "It's a big jump for any high school student-athlete both on and off the court, and we anticipate red-shirting both of them. They will gain invaluable experience in our program and will transition well into Brandon University."
Farough, a 6-foot-2 guard, is no stranger to Brandon University. Farough attended his first Bobcat practice when he was in grade 6, and has been a fixture in the BU Gym and Healthy Living Centre since. He's attended Bobcat summer camps every year since he was 12 years old, and regularly trained and practiced with the team through-out his high school career.
"Theo has been in our team manager for four years now, and it has been great watching him become a dominant player at the AAA level in Manitoba,” says Cheung. “He is a tough, hard-working kid who has a passion for the game."
What Stark lacks in physical size he makes up for with intensity and work ethic.
"Isaak is the quintessential teammate and a fierce competitor. At Neelin he's known as a guy who at only 5-foot-10 will battle hard against anyone. I'm certain he will bring a great work ethic and passion to our program," Cheung adds.
Farough and Stark are the first Brandon-based players to join the Bobcats men's basketball team since Chad Jacobson (who also was a Neelin grad) ended his playing career in 2007.