BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Cari Doutre – April 9, 2020
While high school seniors throughout Utah are missing a big chunk of their final year in high school, one local student got some big news - good news too, in the midst of it all.
Ren Fonnesbeck, 18, of Elwood, has been playing basketball since he was 5-years old. Back then, he probably had no idea where the sport would bring him later in life. Ren now knows what the future holds for him but it took a lot of hard work on the high school basketball court to get there.
Ren has been an integral part of the Bear River High boys’ basketball team for four years. During his junior year in 2019, he helped the Bears take second in 4A and second in Region. He’s accomplished many feats on the court for the Bears in his high school career. Story continues below...
As a senior during the 2019-2020 season, Ren averaged about 17 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. He also put 376 points on the scoreboard his senior year.
A force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, Ren is looking forward to the future and has signed with Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, OR, to play basketball for the Lakers next year.
“Southwestern Oregon is located right on the coast. It’s a beautiful spot,” Ren said. “The coaching staff and play style seems like a perfect fit for me as well.”
It’s also the importance of furthering his education with this opportunity that he’s grateful basketball has given him. Ren is receiving a full ride (all tuition expenses covered) to Southwestern Oregon to further his education.
“Getting the opportunity to keep going and further my education is an incredible thing that this sport has given me,” he said. Story continues below...
Ren is looking forward to this new opportunity as well as meeting “new people, new experiences and getting the chance to improve as a player and as a person,” Ren said.
Crediting those that supported him along the way, including Bear River High, Ren will miss the community and the school he’s played basketball with for four years, among a few other things he’ll miss.
“I’ll miss my friends, family and the community coming out to games and being so supportive,” he said.
Not to mention the emotions behind it all that he’ll also miss.
“I’ll miss the pride in being a Bear - that believing in being the underdog. It’s just an amazing feeling this town and high school brings.”
Ren is the son of Troy and Anna Fonnesbeck of Elwood.
