City of Basketball Love

Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo)
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After his junior year at New Hope, Max Wagner knew he was going to have to step up his game and level of competition if he wanted to reach his goal of playing collegiate basketball.

“I wanted to go to school for the cheapest price at the best school possible, that’s every kid’s dream,” Wagner said.

In the first of many steps toward his goal, the 6-foot-8, 220-pound stretch forward transferred to Pennridge for his senior year. Wagner worked hard to develop of his game, and immediately gained the interest of one Division II school.

Despite receiving multiple other offers from fellow PSAC schools East Stroudsburg, West Chester, and Lock Haven, it was Kutztown’s persistence that put his first school over the top in Wagner’s mind.

Wednesday night, the standout forward committed to play under head coach Bernie Driscoll at to continue his basketball and academic career as a Golden Bear.

“They were the first ones to offer me, they showed the most interest, I got calls on the daily from coach [Tom] York and coach Driscoll,“ Wagner said. “It felt good to know they were so interested in me and wanted me to be on their team.

The Rams’ star forward is talented both inside and outside, and he has proven himself to be a capable scorer from both the paint and beyond-the-arc. He provided the rebounding and defensive presence for a team that was otherwise undersized, and aided the Pennridge high flying offense with his athleticism and shooting ability.

Once the standout senior made the decision to head to Pennridge for his senior year, he worked hard to establish himself as a leader on the court and one of the premier players in the Suburban One.

Wagner learned quickly at Pennridge what would make him successful--teamwork and on court discipline--and displayed to college coaches across the area just how much ability he possesses.

“I started to play within myself a bit more,” Wagner admitted. “At New Hope, it was more of an individual thing for me, but at Pennridge I’ve learned to be more of a part of a team.”

Now, Wagner will find himself in the third different locker room in as many years, suiting up with the Golden Bears next season.

“It’s just a good fit, a match for both of us, and I’m going to be as big of a factor next year as I can.”

Kutztown is 21-6 this season, with a trip to the NCAA Atlantic Regional brewing for Saturday night. Despite only having two seniors on the roster, there will be room for Wagner, a uniquely athletic stretch forward, to earn his place within the rotation next season.

As 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 forwards Will Adams and Anthony Selby graduate, Wagner fills the void left behind but those two outgoing seniors.

“They said I would get time next year as a freshman because they are graduating two kids,” Wagner acknowledged. “I just have to work hard in the offseason to get better.”

The Golden Bears are returning a lot of talented players, including their three top scorers from last season--Josh Johnson, Anthony Lee, and Ryan Connolly. Wagner can join that group of scorers with his three point shooting ability, as Kutztown was third in the PSAC from three this season, shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Even though he’s off to the next level of college basketball, Wagner won’t forget his high school roots. Despite his team being eliminated just one game short of the state playoffs, Pennridge had a very successful year, winning the Suburban One Continental league and finishing with a 21-6 record.

“I’m going to miss everything about Pennridge,” Wagner said. “The fans, the kids I grew up with, the atmosphere, it was all so great.”