Dow’s high-scoring Zielinski raising eyebrows
Chris Zielinski joined the Dow High boys’ basketball team for a very specific reason – to make a mark. In the Chargers’ first four games, that statement would likely end with two or three exclamation points.
Zielinski, an 18-year-old senior guard, has been a goalkeeper so far in his public school debut, averaging 30.5 points per game as he led the Chargers to a 4-0 start. Once a standout homeschooler, he enrolled at Dow for his senior year and scored no fewer than 22 points in a season-opening win over Bay City Central, scored 30 points in a win over Bullock Creek, and scored 23 points in one eye. Opening win for the powerhouse Bridgeport, and most recently racked up a staggering 47 points in the Chargers’ opening win over Flint Powers.
“It’s great. I’ve been telling the guys since the start of the season that we want to make a mark, so it was definitely very exciting to be able to do that,” said Zielinski, while passing on plenty of praise to his teammates. … Honestly, I came into this season to make a statement. I’m just having a lot of fun with it. I have to give a lot of credit to the team because they just let me do my thing.
“…Even in a game like Tuesday’s when I’m taking a lot of shots I’m just letting them know to still keep their heads up and of course I thank them for letting me[play my game],” he added added.
Dow coach Ken Cook said that Zielinski is a tireless worker who just loves basketball and wants to move on to bigger and better things.
“We were here at 7am this morning just working. He just never stops,” Cook noted. “I almost have to slow him down a bit until he takes a break. He just surpasses everyone. It’s seven days a week. He just has a passion for it.
“I think that’s what drives him so much — just his passion,” Cook added. “He wants to play at the next level and now he’s starting to get those offers.”
Zielinski’s 47-point breakout Tuesday against Powers broke Scott MacDonald’s previous single-game record of 46 at school. Perhaps as impressive as Zielinski’s overall score was his efficiency. He shot a solid 16 of 22 from the floor, including 7 of 10 from 3-point range, and was a perfect 8 of 8 from the foul line.
“Honestly, it felt like I was in a zone and really playing freely. I had so much fun being able to do that and doing that for Dow,” he said of his record-breaking performance. “I just felt like I was in the zone. I didn’t even notice. I didn’t realize I ended up with 47. And then they said (I had 47 points) and I said, ‘Wow.’ I didn’t even notice.”
Zielinski added that it was one of those nights when every shot felt right as it came out of his hands.
“Every time I shot it, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is in,'” he noted with a grin. “It just felt so good.”
While he can certainly land shots from the touchline, Zielinski is also extremely difficult to parry when dribbling due to his explosiveness, ball control and ability to finish around the perimeter.
“Absolutely getting to the hole,” Cook said when asked about the strongest part of Zielinski’s game. “He’s a better penetrator than a rifleman. He didn’t show that recently, but in general that’s the strength of his game.
“And he likes to play defense,” Cook quickly added. “With a lot of guys who score points like that, there’s no defense. But he also has this passion for playing defense.”
Born and raised in the Coleman area, Zielinski is the ninth of ten children and began playing basketball around the age of eight. He said he has many relatives in the Midland area and that he and his family moved to Midland about four or five months ago.
“It’s so much fun,” he said of playing for Dow. “Everyone is so nice and brings a lot of energy. It was a great experience.”
When asked to describe his game, Zielinski replied, “I feel like a big energy player. I definitely want to try to involve the team. I’ve loved basketball for so long, and I just want everyone to have a good time out there, and I try to bring energy all the time… and just try to do my best.”
Although this is his first year playing for a public school, Zielinski is no stranger to competing in big games. Early in his prep career, he was on homeschool teams that won three state championships and two Midwest Region championships, and finished third in the National Christian HomeSchool Basketball Championships last spring.
Zielinski noted that the jump from homeschool prom to public school prom was similar in some ways and not so similar in others.
“Actually, it’s a bit different, just with the (bigger) crowds. Not that many people are watching[the homeschool prom],” he said. “I wouldn’t say the competition is much different, especially at national level. From what I’ve seen, a lot of teams are really good at the homeschool level. But yeah, it was definitely a different experience (because of the atmosphere).”
Aside from Zielinski’s physical talent, he’s also a student of the game, Cook said.
“He’s very teachable, and that’s the biggest thing,” Cook remarked. “He listens really well and tries to take (concepts) and get better.”
When asked if he has any superstitions or pre-game routines on game day, Zielinski said with a smile, “I just like listening to loud music. I try to create hype before the game and just bring as much energy as possible.
“…I don’t know. Just some random stuff. Anything just loud,” he added of his music choices. “…As long as I have something that gets me in the zone.”
As for his goals for his only season as a Charger?
“We want to have a successful season. We definitely want to do[a show]for the city and everything,” he said. “And I want to be recruited, but I definitely want to do something special for Dow.”
