MBB Mannarino

Houghton, NY-Jonathon Mannarino (Solon, OH/ Walsh Jesuit) has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Houghton College, Highlander coach Brad Zarges announced today.

The 5’-10” Mannarino, a point guard for the Walsh Jesuit Warriors, was instrumental in leading his team to the district finals during the last two seasons. A team captain, he holds school records for single-game (13) and career assists. Following the 2006-07 season, he was named the team’s MVP and defensive player of the year. In addition, he was named to the Akron Coaches’ Association All-Star Team. Mannarino finished his senior season averaging 10 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals per game for the Warriors.

“Jon was a tremendous leader for our program,” said John Norris, head varsity coach for Walsh Jesuit. “His exceptional skill, effort, and great competitive drive will be difficult to replace. I am excited about the opportunity for him to continue to learn and develop as a player and compete at the next level.”

Jon has extensive experience at the National AAU level for the Cleveland Titans. In 2006, Jon was selected to the Spiece Memorial Day Slam All-Star Team. In addition he was also selected to the USSSA Nationals All-Star Team in 2005 and 2006. He averaged 14 points, 8 assists per game his final year for the Titans, while competing against the top collegiate bound talent in the country.

“The first time we saw Jon play, we were impressed with his ability to make his teammates better,” said Highlander Head Coach Brad Zarges. “His quickness and speed, combined with excellent timing and decision making, separated Jon from other point guards. It is often said that guards come ‘a dime a dozen.’ However, excellent guards are rare, especially out of high school. While Jon’s playing ability caught our attention, it was his personality that excited us. He is serious about developing his faith, a hard worker in the classroom, and a winner on the floor. Those intangible attributes fit the mission of our program and college. We think Jon will immediately be competing for a big role at the point, especially with the graduation of two senior point guards.”

In addition to playing basketball, Mannarino’s time at Walsh Jesuit included serving as a school ambassador and volunteering at a nursing home and a camp for children.

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 20 2007 CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 20 2007
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648