The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Open Door standout headed to Waynesburg
Open Door boys basketball standout Josh Zaborowski is taking his talents to the next level.
The former Patriots guard is heading to Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania to continue his academic and athletic careers.
“It was huge (making that decision),” Zaborowski said. “I’ve been wanting to play college basketball. My whole time in high school, I’ve been working really hard, so it’s really exciting.”
Zaborowski’s commitment has a little extra meaning to it for Open Door first-year coach Kevan Ford. The senior is the first player in Ford’s tenure to commit to playing basketball in college.
“I was very excited for him,” Ford said. “Any commitment for a guy that desires to play at the next level is awesome. That’s the college he wanted to go to, and to have him be accepted onto the team ... was an awesome experience for me. As a first-year head coach, it’s my first signing so it feels very special.”
Zaborowski was a hard worker for the Patriots and used his leadership and athleticism to help his teammates. “He was our leader,” Ford said.
“He’s that guy who does the intangibles. He’s a great defender, so we put him on their best player. He’s always diving for loose balls, he handles the ball (in pressure situations) for us and he knocks down shots when he needs to. He was that all-around kid that was part of the motor that helped us go. That’s why we’re excited for him.”
Ford praised Zaborowski’s intelligence and the way he used his basketball IQ to assist his team during games.
“He’s the floor general,” Ford said. “He would see things that we talked about in practice and be able to see it before it happened. He always said to me, ‘Hey, we can run this play here and do this.’ He also (helped) put his teammates in the right position when it was time.
“He was also our emotional leader. He got those guys pumped up and ready to go. Before the game, he was the guy delivering the speeches. In practice, he motivated the guys and developed the younger guys coming up. He always encouraged them and (told) them the hard work and effort it takes to be successful.”
Ford knows Zaborowski has yet to reach his full potential and believes he will have a smooth transition to the next stage. “He hasn’t touched the ceiling and has room to grow,” Ford said. “I think what his impact will be at the next level ... he’ll be a defensive force.
He’s going to be that guy motivating his team, diving on the floor and getting them hyped up and ready to go. I think his impact will be exactly what it was in high school. He’ll be the grinder and do-it-all guy. I know at the college level, he’s going to do all that and more.”
Prior to choosing Waynesburg, Zaborowski also looked at Messiah and Cedarville. Ultimately, meeting with the coaches at Waynesburg sealed the deal.
“The academics are really solid and meeting with the coaches ... they seemed really solid. (It seemed) like they really care about the players,” Zaborowski said. “Not only playing-wise, but also academic-wise.”
Zaborowski is looking forward to getting on campus and meeting with his teammates. He’s also looking forward to working toward his master’s degree in athletic training.
“(I’m looking forward to) practicing with those guys and getting ready for the season,” Zaborowski said. “I also want to start studying.”