ORONO – As far as Jon Sheets was concerned, it didn’t matter if it was the University of Alaska-Fairbanks or the University of Wyoming calling, he just wanted a chance to play Division I basketball.

Besides, the junior college recruit might have been a native Californian, but he had an opportunity to do more snowboarding than surfboarding while growing up just 21/2 hours away from Reno, Nev.

That’s not to say the University of Maine was a cinch when the 6-foot-1 guard came to visit as a top recruit of head coach Ted Woodward in April of 2005.

“I asked him if he’d been near Maine and he said he’d been to Washington D.C. once,” Woodward said with a chuckle. “We were fortunate he came to visit on one of the two most beautiful days we had in April.”

According to the 21-year-old Sheets, anything short of a blizzard wouldn’t have mattered.

“I felt comfortable right away. I clicked with the players and the coaches and felt I had the best chance to play and be successful here,” said Sheets. “My gut feeling told me this was the place … I’m thrilled with my decision.”

So are his teammates and coaches. The senior point guard is excelling at running the show for the Black Bears and is the team leader in points and steals. He is also among America East conference leaders in steals (tied for second) and assists (seventh).

He hopes to lead his 5-8 Bears to their first conference win, against the University of New Hampshire, tonight at 7 on the Alfond Arena court in Orono.

It’s hard to believe this standout guard wasn’t even considered a Division I recruit three years ago.

“This is my dream. It’s what I’ve been trying to do my whole life, but I was only getting DIII and DII offers,” Sheets said. “I guess it was pride, but I thought I could play Division I.”

So when Yuba City Community College hoops coach Doug Cornelious told Sheets he could “pretty much guarantee” him getting a Division I scholarship, Sheets went the JUCO route for not one, but two seasons.

Sheets eventually decided between two finalists: Maine and Bradley University.

“We were so happy when he called to say he was coming,” Woodward recalled. “He was qualified out of high school, but people missed the boat on him. He’s shown he’s a DI player and he deserves credit for that.”

He also deserves credit for developing his abilities rather than resting on his laurels.

Sheets had a solid junior season despite shifting from shooting guard to point guard with 9.4 points, 2.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. However, he was slowed by several nagging injuries and Woodward wanted him to work on his conditioning this past offseason. Sheets did that and then some with a weightlifting/training regimen.

“This year, the biggest difference for me is confidence. I feel so much more comfortable out there,” Sheets said. “I love the point. I love running the offense and calling the plays, but I won’t be shy about taking a shot, that’s for sure.”

Sheets’ style of play has earned him the nickname “Energizer Bunny” on the team.

“That’s my game. That’s how I can help my team win. I come off screens hard and that’s how I get shots. I have to create chances for myself,” he said. “It’s a controlled, out-of-control style. You have to play at 150 miles per hour, but mentally you have to be at about 75.”

For Sheets, life in the fast lane couldn’t be better.