University of Wisconsin Marathon County

Men's Basketball

June 9, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

D.C. Everest Standout will attend UW Marathon County

Brandon Hoppe of D.C. Everest High School (Schofield, WI) will attend the University of Wisconsin Marathon County and play basketball for the Huskies next season, UWMC Coach Dave Gibbs announced Wednesday.

A 6' 4" 240 pound center, Hoppe played a major role in D.C. Everest's stellar '97-98 campaign. The Evergreens won eighteen games in a row en route to a 20-4 record and a share of the Wisconsin Valley Conference championship -- the school's first since 1978.

"Brandon is just a winner," said D.C. Everest Coach Bob Hinck. "He can defend the low post, catch the ball in traffic, and step out and hit the fifteen footer. He is an extremely hard-working young man and a pleasure to coach."

Hoppe averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 66% from the floor and 79% from the free throw line. He was a team captain and was named honorable mention all-Wisconsin Valley Conference. He finished 7th in the conference in scoring with 174 points and 8th in rebounding with 85.

"We are fortunate to land a student-athlete of Brandon's caliber," Coach Gibbs said. "He is not only an excellent student, but a proven all-conference performer and team leader. He is exactly the type of individual we need to step in and help us defend the conference title."

Hoppe is an outstanding student ranked in the top 15% of his graduating class. He was regularly named to the school's honor roll and graduated with a 3.7 grade average. The son of Art and Sue Hoppe of Aniwa, he plans to major in Natural Resources and will transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.