Repovz an 'inspiration' to LCC teammates

By Jared Field

14 March 2008

greatlakeshoop.com

East Lansing-- It takes a big man to guard the water cooler.

How big you ask? Something like 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds.

That's Mike Repovz, Lansing Catholic Central's man in the middle.

"He's been an inspiration to the guys," said Lansing head coach Darren Zwick of Repovz who rehabbed a football injury just to make it back to his team in time for the playoffs. "He just has that natural leadership ability, that work ethic. And that kind of elevates the other guys' play."

Repovz had little to gain and much to lose by returning to the court. He already had a division one football scholarship to Central Michigan University squared away.

Fortunately for LCC, Repovz didn't sign away his competition juices like so many players who earn scholarships.

"He earned that scholarship because he is a motivated kid; he just loves to compete and it does not matter what it is," said Zwick. "He is a competitor and a winner."

Repovz made his first trip to the Breslin center back in December, not as a player but as a waterboy.

"I got over it after a couple games," said Repovz of his duty on the end of the bench. "The first game was the worst because I knew I would be a waterboy for a very long time. But I urged my guys on because I just wanted to be out there with them the whole time."

Throughout the months-long process of rehabbing his torn ACL, Repovz was never too far away from his teammates. And while his coach never doubted the Repovz's resolve, the severity of the injury made his return to the hardwood somewhat improbable.

"I just told him to rehab it as hard as he could and to do everything the doctors told him and then just to see what happens with his body," said Zwick, whose team will play Flint Powers in the class B state title game on Saturday night. "He was very religious with his workouts. He is a very motivated young man and he wanted to get back and help this team. The goal was to get him back fresh for the tournament and maybe we could make a run, and that's what happened."

The decision to be there with his teammates for more than just moral support was a no-brainer for Repovz. He wanted a shot at a state championship, and he knew his team could be there in the end.

"This is definitely the reason I came back," said Repovz. "I knew I would be fine. I knew I would be almost 100 percent by the districts. That was what I was shooting for. I knew I had to go all out. I knew it was 'go time' and we were going to make a run. I have such a great relationship with these guys and I thought it would be unfair if I didn't come back to help them win since we've been playing together for so long."

And Repovz, an all-Lansing-area performer last season, has an understanding of his newfound role with the Cougars. He's no longer depended upon for scoring, but his toughness down low is indispensable to his team's success.

"I just try to hold down the defense and keep the big guys that some teams have down in scoring," he said.

Repovz finished with 13 points and five rebounds in only 16 minutes of play against Menominee. He was 5-for-5 from the field.