Story courtesy the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman in Wasilla, Alaska

PALMER — After spending year with the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas, Nev., former Colony High School standout Hunter Eisenhower is ready to make an impact for his new program.

Eisenhower, a 2013 graduate of Colony High School, has signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Chadron State University and play basketball for the Division II program in Chadron, Neb.

“It came down to Chadron. (Chadron) kind of set itself apart,” Eisenhower said recently.

After spending a year with Impact Basketball, which a prep school for college-bound basketball players, Eisenhower garnered a great deal of interest from programs. There was even interest from a Division I program, Long Island University- Brooklyn. Overall, as the recruiting process progressed, Eiesenhower said he was excited about his potential at Chadron, and didn’t want to miss his opportunity.

“I’m really happy with my decision,” Eisenhower said.

Eisenhower said he quickly developed a good rapport with Chadron State head coach Brent Bargon. The university’s athletic programs have new facilities, and Eisenhower has the chance to see time on the court early in his career.

“The coach said I have an opportunity to play right away. I fit into a position need,” Eisenhower said.

In Chadron State’s system, Eisenhower said, only the point guard and center are fixed positions. The shooting guard, small forward and power forward spots are filled by versatile guards who can play with either their face or back to the basket. Eisenhower, a 6-foot-5 guard who can play inside or out, seems to be an ideal fit for the Chadron system.

“That’s one selling point he had for me,” Eisenhower said of Bergen and the Eagles. “A lot of opportunity to shoot threes and go out and run. He said his system is set up for the type of player I am.”

Tom Berg, Eisenhower’s coach at Colony High School, said he’s excited to see his former player have the chance to play for the Eagles.

“The encouraging part for Hunter is they’re not shy to say we’re looking for you to come in and compete,” Berg said recently. “They want him to come in and compete for minutes right off the bat.”

Eisenhower was a three-year varsity standout for the Knights. He was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference and second-team all-state as a senior. He also helped lead the Knights to a third-place finish in the state tourney his senior year.

Rather than jumping straight into college, Eisenhower said he opted to spend a year in the Impact program.

“I knew that I could get some better options than I had out of high school,” Eisenhower said. “I didn’t want to go to a junior college. I wanted to keep my four years of eligibility.”

Overall, Eisenhower said his year with Impact was a great experience.

“It was awesome, non-stop basketball,” Eisenhower said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at [email protected].