Flashpoint Fowlerville

Sean Romsek, mid-Michigan's best kept secret

 

By Jared Field

24 December 2006

greatlakeshoops.com

 

We all know the hotbeds of basketball talent in mid-Michigan, be they schools, towns or cities.  Places like Flint, Saginaw, and Fowlerville come to mind.

 

(Insert high-pitched record player needle shriek...)

 

Did he just say Fowlerville?

 

That's right, a flashpoint of basketball talent is parked right under your nose--if your nose happens to be resting someplace west of Howell and east of Lansing.

 

One thing is for sure, former Mr. Michigan Basketball and head coach of IPFW, Dane Fife, knows where Fowlerville is. 

 

The young coach represents just one of several division one programs interested in the services of a cat-quick 6'3'' combo guard named Sean Romsek.

 

Fowlerville's leading man is the top shooting guard prospect in mid-Michigan and one of the best guards in the class of 2008 in the state of Michigan. 

 

My first chance to see Romsek play came last season in the district playoffs.  Romsek, coming off a 26-point performance in a win over Williamston, scored 20 points in a tough loss to perennial class B power in mid-Michigan, Perry.

 

Not bad for a sophomore.

 

So far this season, Romsek is averaging 18 points per game on a team that is pretty well stocked with talented backcourt players.  After a tough loss to one of Lansing's top teams, DeWitt, in week two, and a hard fought victory over East Lansing in week three, Romsek is poised to lead the Gladiators through the rest of conference season unscathed.

 

"Basically all our league games are circled on my calendar," Romsek said. "It's our goal to win the league and to do what we need to come ready to play and throw everything we have at every league opponent. Our league is just that strong."

 

The league, the CAAC-3, is as top heavy as any in mid-Michigan with Lansing Catholic, Lakewood, DeWitt and Haslett all starting off strong.

 

Besides winning, the aforementioned teams have something else in common--they know stopping Fowlerville, amongst other things, means stopping Romsek.

 

It's very difficult to describe what Romsek can do, so you will have to bear with me.  For the hardcore junkies among us, think Travis Diener--former all-conference guard at Marquette.  Romsek, like Diener, possesses a nice outside shot and the quickness to get to the basket to draw fouls.  He is a scorer's scorer and becoming a better shooter every day.

 

"I can shoot the ball," Romsek said. "But, last night (against DeWitt) was an off night for me."

 

18 points is the kind of "off night" I wouldn't mind having once in a while.

 

Romsek also gives his high school coach, Fred Hackett, the option of using him at either position in the backcourt.  An option he has exercised many times already this season.

 

And when Romsek isn't frustrating conference opponent's with his nose for the basket, he's tearing up the summer circuit.

 

This past season, playing for Camp Darryl, Romsek really made a name for himself.  He proved himself worthy of the moniker of "scorer" with several games of 30 or more points including one 43-point explosion.

"The highlight of my summer was just being able to play ball, going all over the country and playing the best," he said.  "I love playing for Darryl.  He coaches for all the right reasons; he does it for the kids. Playing for Darryl has really helped my game. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for him and his program."

The feeling is mutual.

"I appreciate the fact that Sean drives all the way to Kalamazoo to practice," said Darryl Matthews, founder of the Camp Darryl basketball Academy.  "It's almost a two hour drive from Fowlerville and Sean and his grandfather are almost always there to help me carry the basketballs in."

And when Sean's not playing ball, he's pressing the flesh like a politician.

"Sean's got sweat equity in our program," Matthews said.  "He carries the flag for Camp Darryl even when he's wearing a Fowlerville uniform.  He's proud to be a part of our program."

Romsek has also received interest from Central Michigan, Oakland and Wisconsin Green Bay.

What others are saying...

--"He's a natural scorer, with the proverbial 'nose for the goal.' College coaches have told him to gain weight and strength, which will really help him out because he's best going to the hoop, he's not a spot-up shooter like some imagine." --Steve Bell, Bankhoops.com

 

--"He's a driver and a slasher; he's smooth and posses a deadly three-point shot.  Sean is underrated as a passer." --Darryl Matthews, Camp Darryl Basketball Academy

 

--"What impresses me most about Romsek is his unselfish play; he scores a lot of his points inside the confines of the offense." --Josh Glitz, GLH