University of Wisconsin Marathon County

Men's Basketball

May 15, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All-Conference Player from Colby to attend UWMC

Two-time all-conference player Barry Messmann of Colby High School will attend UW Marathon County next fall and play for the men's basketball program. The 6'2" forward averaged 17 points a game while leading the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference in rebounding with just over 10 boards a game.

Messmann was named his team's most valuable player both his junior and senior seasons while leading the team in scoring and rebounding. He shot 44% from the field and 75% from the free throw line.

Colby high school head coach Coach Dave MacArthur had this to say about his all-conference performer: "First of all, he is a smart player who is extremely versatile offensively. He posts up well, but he can also step outside and shoot the 15 footer with consistency. And he crashes the boards real hard for a player of his size -- he led the league in rebounding at 6'2"."

"Barry is a fierce competitor who plays much bigger than his 6'2" size would indicate", said UWMC Coach Dave Gibbs. "He is a very strong young man with a great work ethic and attitude. His best basketball is still ahead of him, and I look forward to two enjoyable years helping him further his academic and basketball skills."

The son of David and Ruth Messmann of Dorchester, Barry plans to major in Physical Education with an emphasis in Exercise Science.