Beyond the Game: Germantown basketball star Luke Fischer



GERMANTOWN (WITI) -- All good teams have a signature move. For the Germantown High School boys basketball team, that move revolves around their seven-foot star player.

When the going gets tough for the undefeated Germantown High School basketball team, the Warhawks have a default position.

"It's called the 'Luke Rule,' where we just throw it to Luke if we're in trouble," one player told FOX6 News.

Luke Fischer does stand tall for the Warhawks, and not solely because he is listed as a seven footer.

"He's stepped up a little bit as far as his leadership is concerned. Now he's the senior, he's the guy, and he demands the basketball when we need him to get the ball, and he just does so many things on the defensive end as well as what we expect him to do on the offensive end," Coach Steve Showalter said.

Fischer is doing all this this season without one of his biggest fans around -- at least not on a regular basis. His mom Kim took a school administration job up near Wisconsin Rapids prior to this season. It was a bittersweet family decision. It has worked out professionally, but it's still tough.

"She misses us so much, and she tries to come down here anytime she can. It's been tough. It's hard not having her around. She had to do what she had to do and she had to step up to her opportunity, and none of us can blame her, but we do miss her," Fischer said.

The arrangement has spurred Fischer to grow more independent and self-confident.

"An only child and very nice kid. He does the best he can and he's gotten much, much better since he came up two years ago," Showalter said.

Fischer can see the end of his prep career approaching.

"It's kind of sad. It's the last year. Practices are going down. Just counting the days. It's going to be sad when it's all over," Fischer said.

Fischer will play basketball as a high-level recruit for Tom Crean at Indiana University. While it will be an adjustment to move away from home, Fischer is doing awfully well after his mom's job-related move away from home.