There were players in the area and even on the same team who scored more points than Paul Scrabeck this past season.

Sunday, April 01, 2001

There were players in the area and even on the same team who scored more points than Paul Scrabeck this past season.

But nobody pulled down more rebounds or blocked more shots.

And no one had the physical presence of the 6-foot-4 Alden-Conger High School senior.

Just ask opposing coaches.

&uot;He really had the ability to dominate a game,&uot; said NRHEG coach Matt Eppen. &uot;With his ability to rebound and block shots, he was dominating. Probably the main reason we beat them the second time we played them this year is because he fouled out.&uot;

&uot;He understands the game of basketball and plays it well, inside and out,&uot; said Glenville-Emmons coach Jeff Rayman. &uot;He’s a very talented, unselfish player.&uot;

For his efforts on the court this past season, Scrabeck is the Albert Lea Tribune Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year for the 2000-2001 season.

Scrabeck was the total package for the Knights, averaging 14.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and an impressive 4.1 blocked shots per game. He shot 48 percent from the floor, 144-for-301, and 52 percent on free throws, 44-for-85, while totaling 35 assists and 17 steals. He also had at least 10 dunks.

&uot;I think we lost count,&uot; said Knights coach Paul Ragatz. &uot;He may have had upwards of a dozen, getting two in a game a couple times. Some of them were on the break, but on most of them he got the ball at the free-throw line and pretty much surprised everybody when he was able to put it in. He was just an incredible presence on the court, offensively and defensively.&uot;

While Ragatz said Scrabeck possesses all the necessary skills of a great center – strength, size, speed and jumping ability – he also displays outstanding athletic ability.

&uot;As a center, Paul is very athletic,&uot; said Ragatz. &uot;Not only could he run the break, many times he actually led it.&uot;

And, defensively, he was a force even when he didn’t get to the ball.

&uot;If he wasn’t blocking the shot, he was forcing the shooter to alter his shot,&uot; said Ragatz. &uot;He’s a great defender.&uot;

Part of that, according to Ragatz, included staying out of foul trouble.

&uot;I think he fouled out of one game all year,&uot; said Ragatz.

The coach also described Scrabeck as probably the strongest captain he’s had in his ability to run the show not only on the court but off it.

&uot;He could be very caring to younger guys, and he could be an absolute general to motivate the guys,&uot; said Ragatz. &uot;He led from the front, that’s for sure.&uot;