To help the Rangers, Trevor Jorgenson relents to become more selfish

The mandate when the season began was clear, and TrevorJorgenson had to abide by it.

His first three seasons for the Logan High School boysbasketball team were certainly a success, but he needed to turn itup a notch as a senior.

"Coach (Jeff Axness) told me I had to be more selfish," the6-foot-7 center said. "I didn't feel very comfortable with it atfirst."

But Jorgenson has started to adapt, maybe because it's his lastchance to make an impact for the Rangers.

"We've been telling him to do that for years," senior guard HansErickson said. "We expect him to dominate because he's good enoughto do it."

Jorgenson has been on the All-MVC first team three times, and hejoined Logan as a freshman in the perfect situation of being anexpected impact player on a team filled with them.

The Rangers were undefeated in the MVC that season as Jorgensonadapted to high school basketball.

He's been the focus of every defense he's faced since then, andthat has both frustrated and challenged him to become a betterplayer.

"I think it took him some time to figure out how to handle theconstant double- and triple-teams," Axness said. "I'm not sure whenit clicked in him, but he needs to feel like he's ‘The guy' when hewalks on the court."

Jorgenson has taken ownership of the floor this season more thanany other to help Logan, which is 7-3 going into Saturday morning'sgame against Richfield (8-1) as part of the Midwest Players Classicat the

Jorgenson, who is Logan's career leader in points, rebounds andblocked shots, is averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds pergame.

He had 23 points and 23 boards in a nonconference victory over EauClaire North on Jan. 4 and has been held to less than 10 points ina game once.

One key to Jorgenson's effectiveness has been consistentcontribution from teammates.

Juniors Vince Kube and Ryan Koel have provided good shooting fromthe perimeter, and that allows Jorgenson to remain in the post.Jorgenson proved last season that he has an outside shot, but he'sa much bigger factor in the lane.

"We give Trevor the freedom to step out there, usually to

back screen," Axness said. "What we then want is for someone toback screen for him to get back in the post, but he can shoot outthere.

"I think last year he was going out there to get the ball becausewe had trouble getting it to him inside."

The fact that Jorgenson is enjoying this kind of season is moreimpressive when considering that his offseason focus wasfootball.

Jorgenson isn't yet sure which sport he'll play in college, but heset himself up for many more athletic opportunities after a greatseason as a tight end and defensive end.

He declined to name programs, but he said a number of smallerDivision I and many Division II schools have shown an interest inhim joining the program in one sport or the other.

"I was told a long time ago that football could be something I'ddo, but I always thought of myself as a basketball player,"Jorgenson said. "That changed in the middle of last year, and I'mnot sure which one I'll do.

"It depends on the situation."