Calm and focused, LN's Van Treese gives Wildcats a competitive edge

Lawrence North has produced some of the top big men in Indiana high school basketball history. This year's addition to the list: Stephan Van Treese, a 6-foot-9 senior. Trying to follow in the footsteps of past Wildcat greats like Eric Montross and Greg Oden, Van Treese appears poised for a long and successful basketball career. After a productive junior season at Lawrence North - he averaged nearly 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and was named All-State first team - he was bombarded with college scholarship offers from some of the nation's top programs. In the end, though, one school stood out above the rest. Van Treese signed with the University of Louisville and legendary coach Rick Pitino, choosing the Cardinals over Indiana, Notre Dame, Michigan State, UCLA, Kansas and Ohio State. "I really think it was a great fit," Van Treese said of Louisville. "Pitino is a great coach - he's going to be in the Hall of Fame - and it doesn't get much better than playing for someone like him." Van Treese, ranked No. 67 nationally by USA Today analyst Rob Harrington, caught the eye of Louisville's coach. "Stephan is a strong, tough, hard-nosed basketball player who brings it every day," Pitino said in a press release. "He has a nice touch from 15-feet, runs extremely well and understands how to play the game. He will fit into our system like a glove." Van Treese, Montross and Oden are three of the top post players to ever don a Lawrence North uniform. Montross led the Wildcats to their first boys' basketball state championship in 1989 and won a NCAA National Championship at North Carolina in 1993. He was selected ninth overall by the Boston Celtics and played for several NBA teams during his career. "I wasn't here for Montross, but I've heard stories about how hard he played," Van Treese said. "People talk about him being a dominating big man." Oden led Lawrence North to three consecutive state titles from 2004-06 and played one season at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes reach the NCAA championship game. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2007 NBA draft. Van Treese was Oden's backup during Lawrence North's perfect 29-0 season in 2005-06. "Greg really showed me the ropes," Van Treese said. "It was great, just playing with him every day. I really got a lot better." Although his future looks bright, Van Treese's main focus right now is helping the Wildcats clinch another Class 4A state title. Lawrence North entered the season ranked No. 1 in 4A. "We have a great team chemistry this year and everyone's on board," he said. "I think we're ready to win state." Van Treese's hard work and positive attitude have rubbed off on his teammates, too. "He experienced winning a championship and going to state, so we feel comfortable following his lead," said 6-9 junior Dominique Ferguson, who made a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky. "Every time I see him before a game, I never think he's nervous. He just looks so calm."