There are some athletes at small, private high schools who wouldn’t make a varsity roster — let alone start — if they attended a larger public school with more competition.

Veritas Christian School junior Mark Randtke isn’t in that category.

“I know they kicked around the idea of going to Lawrence High, and we sure would have loved to have him,” LHS basketball coach Chris Davis said. “I think he would have played. He definitely would have been somebody that would have made a difference.”

Randtke thought the 2002-2003 school year would be his last at Veritas, which then was a school for kindergarten through ninth grade. Randtke was prepared to make the switch to Lawrence High, where he would have been able to take advanced-placement classes and have more exposure to college recruiters.

But then Veritas — the tiny school of 135 students on North Michigan Street — announced plans to add a high school, and Randtke suddenly had to make a choice.

“It took me a long time to decide,” said Randtke, who attended Lawrence High’s basketball camp that summer. “I talked to my parents and friends. I think they wanted me to go to Veritas, but they thought I’d be fine either way. I prayed about it. I thought my relationship with Christ would be a lot stronger at Veritas.”

Randtke also felt loyalty to his junior high teammates.

“They were counting on me,” he said.

It’s easy to see why. At 6-foot-5 and 202 pounds, Randtke certainly looks the part of high school standout. He towers above many of the Eagles’ opponents in the Kansas Christian Athletic Assn.

Mark Randtke is averaging 15 points and 10.4 rebounds a game as a junior at Veritas Christian School. One of 135 students at the tiny parochial school, Randtke, a 6-foot-5, 202-pounder, has helped the Eagles to a 5-1 start this season.

Randtke’s decision was critical to the fledgling football and basketball programs at Veritas.

“Most brand-new high schools a lot of times don’t win a game for a season or two,” said Veritas basketball coach and athletic director Doug Bennett, who has coached Randtke since seventh grade. “I knew if Mark stayed we’d be able to have some success right off the bat.”

Veritas started its first varsity season slowly, losing eight of its first 11 games last year. But the Eagles heated up late, finished 9-14 and made it the finals of the KCAA state tournament. Randtke averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds as a sophomore.

“It’s allowed our school to grow and helped build school spirit,” Bennett said. “It gets other kids excited and puts the school on the map.”

LHS transfer Paul Kempf — a good friend of Randtke’s — returned to Veritas this fall for his senior year after two years at Lawrence High. He and Randtke helped the Eagles post a 7-3 record in football, and Veritas is off to a 5-1 start in basketball.

Kempf is one of three new senior starters for the Veritas basketball team this winter, and the infusion of talent has made the Eagles less reliant on their center. Randtke also has been slowed by a lingering ankle injury, so Bennett has given him the fourth quarter off in a few blowout victories.

Randtke — who is averaging 15 points and 10.4 rebounds a game — likes the more balanced offense, and his numbers likely will improve as his ankle heals.

“He’s got a very smooth shot,” Bennett said. “He’s got enough skill to play on the perimeter or inside. If he was on a team that didn’t need him in the post like we do, he could play the three spot (small forward).”

While Randtke is helping his school establish itself among small parochial schools, it’s uncertain if college coaches will take notice.

“If I can’t play in college, it won’t be a big deal,” said Randtke, who carries a 3.6 grade-point average. “I can play at the park or gym or wherever.”

Randtke said his biggest attraction to LHS had been its more diverse curriculum.

“I wasn’t too worried about sports,” he said. “I wanted more classes and a chance to get into advanced stuff.”

Veritas plays its home games in front of modest crowds at either East Lawrence Center or Haskell’s cramped Tecumseh Gym. LHS, meanwhile, closed the first semester in front of a packed house against city rival Free State in a game that was covered by local newspaper, radio and television.

“That really doesn’t affect me — crowds and stuff like that,” Randtke said. “I’m pretty happy with my decision. … I think it’s helped. A lot of people ask me why I stayed, and then I explain it. I hope I’m an example to the younger kids.”