Ed. Note: This concludes the summer feature series featuring returning athletes from Tecumseh High School. Starting next week, the New Carlisle News will turn the focus on the upcoming fall sports season.

Before he even stepped onto the floor at Tecumseh High School, boys’ basketball coach Roger Culbertson knew exactly what he was getting. The raves were there early on, and now that Darius Quisenberry is about to begin his junior year with the Arrows, he will be expected to take on an even bigger role for Tecumseh’s success.

Quisenberry returns after a very successful sophomore season with the Arrows, finishing second in the CBC averaging over 22 points per game, fifth in assists and first overall in steals.

Quisenberry follows the success of his siblings Bianca who played at Cincinnati and Malik, who is beginning his freshman year at Heidelberg. He has the same aspirations to play in college, and he knows he has some work to do.

“I am working on my leadership skills and talking more as a point guard,” Quisenberry said. “I am also working to improve my shot and to be a constant tough defender.”

“I workout in the gym in the morning (before school) to improve my ball-handling skills, then I lift with my dad after school,” he added. “He has a lifting program that he has me go through. After lifting, I go back into the gym again to work on more basketball skills. I play AAU basketball during the spring and summer for King James Shooting Stars.”

Quisenberry gets his talents not only from his incredible work ethic, but from the aforementioned siblings, and his parents.

“I was born into it- most of my family played or plays basketball,” he said. “When I was younger, I played baseball, football, and wrestled. Now I only play basketball. My family has always been an active family. Both my mother and father were college athletes. All of my sisters and brother played sports growing up.”

“My goal to play at the Division 1 level and be successful. I would like to continue to play after college if God blesses me with opportunity.”

Before worrying about the next level, Quisenberry has some unfinished business to take care of. Last year the Arrows won the CBC with a 9-1 league record, and he looks to keep that trophy in New Carlisle the next two years.

“Some of my favorite highlights of playing basketball was being able to play with my older brother, Malik for 2 years at Tecumseh. Also, winning CBC during Malik’s senior year was one of my favorites.”

“Some of my goals this season is to be a great leader and make others around me better. I would like to have a winning season and continue to improve on my game.”

Last year, Quisenberry was named as the CBC Co-Player of the Year, while being first-team each of his first two years. He was also All County first-team, District 9 first-team, and was honored by the Southwest District. He was also named the Arrows MVP as a sophomore.

Quisenberry is also involved in Young Life, and helps his father train kids on the basketball court.

While he is undecided on where he will be going to college, he would like to major in Broadcasting.