Josh Stombaugh Signs To Play For Parkland College

Josh Stombaugh, seated center, is flanked by head EHS basketball Coach Ron Reed and his mother, Stacey Bowlin. Standing is head Parkland College mens basketball Coach Anthony Figueroa.

-----

Effingham High School's Josh Stombaugh recently inked a letter of intent to play basketball for Parkland College in Champaign. Stombaugh will play for Coach Anthony Figueroa.

"We are excited that Josh has chosen to become a member of our family," said Figueroa. "Josh moves well for a guy his size and has a tremendous upside. He has just begin to tap into his basketball/athletic ability."

Stombaugh averaged eight points per game and 3.5 rebounds. He tied for most three's made on the Hearts.

"I felt like his play in the last month of the season really made us an exceptional team down the stretch of our season," said EHS Coach Ron Reed. "He improved his shooting, defense, and rebounding during that time."

The 6-foot-7 graduate will bring size to the Parkland program.
 
"Obviously his size, an outside shooting touch, length and mobility but most importantly he brings a strong work ethic inside the classroom," said Coach Figueroa.
 
"Like most freshman, he needs to add strength. With that added strength, his athleticism will improve. It's a big adjustment to the speed and physicality of the college game. I am sure he will come in and work hard to earn his playing time."

"I believe he made an excellent choice in choosing Parkland Junior College," said Reed. "I think Josh has a great opportunity to be a good college player. His best basketball days are in front of him. He has the length, athleticism, and versatility to play inside or outside. He can shoot the three or play down low

"He should be able to guard post players or small forward type players at that level also. He needs to work on his ballhandling skills so he can be more comfortable out on the floor and he also needs to work hard in the weight room so he can have the strength to play inside.

"I know that having Josh and his brother Jake move over to our school was a tremendous asset to our team and to the team's success this past season. The best part about Josh is that he is an exceptional young man that I will be rooting for to make it at the next level."
 
"In terms of our team next year, we return six sophomores that all saw some, not major, playing time" commented Coach Figueroa. "Along with Josh we have some talented freshmen coming in that hopefully will challenge each other, as well as the sophomores, every day to help make our team as competitive as possible."