Prospect Watch: Pat Bernick (2018)
Prior Lake is still eight days from playing their first game but when they get started seniors like Pat Bernick are ready to show their ability.
“The off season was big for me in terms of improvement,” Pat told NHR. “I played with Wear Out the Net and spent a ton of time in the gym and in the weight room.
“Playing for WOTN helped me learn more leadership which I will carry into the high school season.
“This has been my biggest area of improvement because playing alongside two D1 big men and other good talent is going to require me to help the team in other areas rather than scoring.”
Expectations have been raised at Prior Lake despite the amount of production that graduated. Robert Jones and Dawson Garcia are future high level college basketball players and with them are guys like Sam Nissen and Berinick, one of the team’s most experienced seniors along with Brandon Collins.
“We should be very good this year, but are still very young,” Patrick said. “With Dawson, Robert and Sam along with other talent we hopefully can reach out goal of the state tournament.”
Bernick has looked into playing college basketball at the MIAC level but he’s also thinking of going the student route to a major university.
“As far as college goes I have talked a little with St. Johns and have gone to Hamline a few times for games and open gyms. If I decide not to basketball I am looking at The University of Wisconsin-Madison and Minnesota.”