'He is a winner and a great teammate'

FINDLAY– The more things change, the more they stay the same. For University of Findlay guard Jake Bishop, that has never been more true. Bishop, a sophomore who took a redshirt season a year ago, has exploded onto the scene for Findlay, the No. 13 team in Division II. This isn't the first time that Bishop has been a top player for a Findlay team, though. Bishop is a Findlay High alum, graduating in 2023 after a decorated senior season as a Trojan. Bishop averaged 19 points as a senior, being honored as a first-team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference selection and Special Mention All-Ohio in Division I. When looking at Bishop's high school accolades, it's worth questioning why Bishop was a redshirt as a freshman at UF. Bishop used the season riding the pine to develop his game even further, growing into a high-impact player for the Oilers. What was the key to Bishop's development?"Staying patient," Bishop said. "My high school coach Jim Rucki always told us to be a visual learner on the sideline, and get mental reps. So, that's really what I did last year. I just took everything in, learned a lot. I got to see the game from a very different perspective.""You know, it definitely stinks not playing," Bishop continued. "When Coach Ernst and I had the talk about it, we looked at the positives and negatives. There were way more positives than negatives. Taking that year off was very helpful for me."Bishop has fit into Ernst's new system like a glove this season. Bishop's patience and ability to put the work in while awaiting his opportunity has worked to Findlay's advantage, as he has now emerged as an impactful starter for the best team in the G-MAC. Bishop has started all 13 games for the 12-1 Oilers, averaging 10.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. Bishop is fifth on the team in 3-point percentage, connecting on 39 percent of those shots. Bishop has only committed 7 turnovers compared to 23 assists, as a consistent and reliable wing ball handler. He also leads the team in steals, showing an ability to adapt to the Oilers' full-court press that Ernst and company have employed so far in 2024. The Oilers' change of defensive intensity has not only helped the Oilers improve in the standings, but it has quickly turned Bishop into one of the most impactful defenders in the G-MAC. Bishop currently ranks second in steals in the conference, becoming a real menace for UF on that end of the floor. "None of us really expected it coming into the season," Bishop said of the Oilers' new style of defense. "But we're what? 10-1? So, I think it's worked out pretty well. I think at first, condition-wise, we all kinda struggled a bit. We kept practicing, getting in better condition, and it's worked out really well for us.""I think it all starts in the gym and in our off time," Bishop continued. "Every one of us puts in the extra work. On the court, moving the ball, sharing it, getting inside-out 3s, it helps us a lot."As the season has progressed and the Oilers' win streak has continued to grow, so too has Bishop's confidence and comfort on the floor. It's clear watching the team just how much being on the court has turned Bishop into an effective starter at the collegiate level. Bishop's best game came on the road against Walsh on December 7. In that game, he finished with 20 points and six steals but only made two 3-pointers. Bishop has posted seven double-digit scoring games, and six with two or more triples. His ability to impact the game beyond outside shot-making has turned Bishop into a perfect second option for the Oilers. "Our record wasn't the best last year," Bishop said. "That just kinda, that didn't sit well with anyone. I think this year we all came hungry, and with that chip on our shoulder.""Jake is a dog, man," Oilers forward Will Aljancic said. "He has a mentality to him that is different than a lot of hoopers in this conference. I think we have the two best shooters in the conference between him and Josh (Thorbahn). I've loved playing with Jake so far this year and he has played an important role in our early season success."Aljancic isn't the only Oiler noticing the intensity and ability that Bishop brings to the court. The other is another familiar face. Fellow Findlay High alum Max Roth, who graduated in 2022 and played three seasons with Bishop, has had a front-row seat to Bishop's rise to an Oilers starter. "Playing alongside Jake for all these years we've been together has been awesome and getting to see him grow over time has been awesome," Roth said. "Everything he has done and continues to do is not even a surprise to me because of who he is and how much of a competitor he is. He is a winner and a great teammate so seeing him play how he is after a redshirt year is great and just describes Jake for you.""It's pretty awesome," Bishop said on playing with Roth. "I'm not sure how many people get to play basketball with one of your best friends from high school all the way to college. He and I have been close for a really long time, and it's just awesome to get to be playing with him at the next level."Bishop's growth over the second half of Findlay's season will be interesting to watch. As the Oilers have continued to win, Bishop has improved game-by-game. With this being just his first season in the orange and white, Bishop has nowhere to go but up. "That redshirt year was definitely beneficial," Roth said. "But this year I'm having a lot of fun out on the court, and I'm just happy to be playing. And winning.""I remember being a little ball boy for the Oilers when I was a young kid," Bishop added. "My dad played here, obviously, and I was watching almost every game right up there in the third row. It means a lot to be able to actually put the jersey on. That's something I've always dreamed about as a kid, is playing out here in front of the fans at Croy."