On This Date (April 2, 2002): Nenstiel named All-State
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since May of 1999, the Times News Sports Department has featured an On This Date practically every day, highlighting an event that happened in the past. With the coronavirus putting a halt to sports locally and nationally, the On This Dates have been expanded to the stories that actually ran in the next day’s newspaper. Today’s On This Date story is from April 2, 2002).
By Kate Huvane
Bobby Nenstiel of Weatherly High School had the kind of senior season every basketball players dreams about. He reached the 1,000-point milestone, led his team to a District 11 title, and now, has been named to The Associated Press boys Small School all-state basketball team.
Nenstiel was a Fourth Team selection. He scored 630 points over the 2001-02 season, averaging 22.5 per game. He hit 52 three-pointers, and shot 82.9 percent from the foul line.
“I didn’t think I’d make it. Teams have to go really far for players to get noticed,” Nenstiel remarked after he heard the news. “I’m just glad because all my hard work paid off. All the running in the hot weather and lifting was worth it.”
What impresses so many coaches about Nenstiel was that he is a complete player, someone who can hit the outside shots, drive to the basket and play solid defense. This is something Nenstiel attributes to the guidance he received from Wrecker head coach Bob Lutzick.
“Coach let me play outside and inside. He let me play my game,” said Nenstiel.
He showed a great deal of promise as a junior, putting up 365 points (16.6 per game), and shooting 82 percent at the charity stripe.
But Nenstiel wanted to take it up a notch his senior year, so he hit the gym during the summer. When the season started, he was getting up and down the court quicker, jumping higher, and shooting more accurately.
His father, Bob Sr., was thrilled to see Bobby get the accolades he worked so hard to obtain.
“We figured he had a chance, you never know,” said Bob Sr. “We were nervous. I thought he was definitely good enough to make it.”
One thing Bob Sr. never doubted was his son’s ambition. When the family received the news that he had made the all-state team, Bobby was working out.
“That just shows what kind of a person he is,” said Bob Sr.
Nenstiel has already begun the lifting and conditioning program that was sent to him by the coaches at Bloomsburg University, where he plans to continue his academic and athletic careers. He gave a verbal commitment to attend the Division 2 school last week, and looks to see some playing time as a freshman.