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07-10-2009, 02:51 PM
Johnson plays with a team named the K-Y Players. The Players is a team based out of Covington that is made up of mostly Covington kids and a few Cincinnati kids. Three of his Holmes' teammates are on the team with him including his brother Jeremiah, Elijah Pittman and Willie Slusher. The Players have been playing mostly in local tournaments so the Adidas Take 5ive event on the campus of Cincinnati was a good opportunity for Johnson to showcase his skills against top competition and in front of college coaches.
The Players started off shaky the first night dropping their first two pool games and falling out of the platinum (winners') bracket and into the gold (consolation) bracket. After the game though, Johnson was optimistic about their ability to adjust to the competition level.
"I feel we've played (well)," Johnson said. "It's just little mistakes that are hurting us right now, but we are going to bounce back though."
Those words proved to be prophetic as the Players finally got used to the level of competition and found their groove. The team reeled off four straight wins over the next two days to end up winning the gold bracket, and Johnson was right at the forefront leading the charge.
Johnson was the best player on the court in both the semifinals and finals on Wednesday. He displayed not only his improved strength when finishing around the basket but also a solid step-back jumper from the 15-to-17 foot range that had the scouts impressed. The 6-foot-5 senior-to-be played a lot of his minutes at the point position, showing that not only could he play as a scorer off of the ball, but also lead his team from the point position as well. In the finals Johnson had 14 points at the half and finished with 20 in the win demonstrating his scoring ability in the first half and then his leadership and ability to get his teammates involved in the second.
Johnson said that it wasn't just one thing that he's been working on in the off season, but multiple things to make him a well-rounded player.
"I want to improve my jumpshot, my ballhandling, really just every aspect of my game," he said. "I feel if I'm working on all parts of my game, I can't be stopped. I just want to make my position stronger."
At least a few of the coaches and scouts in attendance took notice of the guard from Covington.
"He's good… I mean really good," said a coach from a school in the MAC conference. "His versatility and the way he shot the ball today… I'm surprised he's not getting recruited by the big boys. He was the best player on the court today."
Johnson said that Bradley was still his only offer, but there had been other schools in contact as of late.
"I've been talking to Oklahoma State a little bit recently, also Miami of Ohio and Xavier a little bit."
One thing is for sure, if Johnson continues to play in these national tournaments at that high of a level, Bradley won't be his only offer for long.
http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/barrier_...&tid=&mid=
The Players started off shaky the first night dropping their first two pool games and falling out of the platinum (winners') bracket and into the gold (consolation) bracket. After the game though, Johnson was optimistic about their ability to adjust to the competition level.
"I feel we've played (well)," Johnson said. "It's just little mistakes that are hurting us right now, but we are going to bounce back though."
Those words proved to be prophetic as the Players finally got used to the level of competition and found their groove. The team reeled off four straight wins over the next two days to end up winning the gold bracket, and Johnson was right at the forefront leading the charge.
Johnson was the best player on the court in both the semifinals and finals on Wednesday. He displayed not only his improved strength when finishing around the basket but also a solid step-back jumper from the 15-to-17 foot range that had the scouts impressed. The 6-foot-5 senior-to-be played a lot of his minutes at the point position, showing that not only could he play as a scorer off of the ball, but also lead his team from the point position as well. In the finals Johnson had 14 points at the half and finished with 20 in the win demonstrating his scoring ability in the first half and then his leadership and ability to get his teammates involved in the second.
Johnson said that it wasn't just one thing that he's been working on in the off season, but multiple things to make him a well-rounded player.
"I want to improve my jumpshot, my ballhandling, really just every aspect of my game," he said. "I feel if I'm working on all parts of my game, I can't be stopped. I just want to make my position stronger."
At least a few of the coaches and scouts in attendance took notice of the guard from Covington.
"He's good… I mean really good," said a coach from a school in the MAC conference. "His versatility and the way he shot the ball today… I'm surprised he's not getting recruited by the big boys. He was the best player on the court today."
Johnson said that Bradley was still his only offer, but there had been other schools in contact as of late.
"I've been talking to Oklahoma State a little bit recently, also Miami of Ohio and Xavier a little bit."
One thing is for sure, if Johnson continues to play in these national tournaments at that high of a level, Bradley won't be his only offer for long.
http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/barrier_...&tid=&mid=
Messages In This Thread
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-10-2009, 02:51 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by HollaBack - 07-11-2009, 12:08 AM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-11-2009, 01:15 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by alterEGO - 07-12-2009, 12:13 AM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by BaseballIsLife - 07-12-2009, 12:38 AM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by thetribe - 07-12-2009, 02:47 AM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by Stardust - 07-12-2009, 08:50 AM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-12-2009, 04:03 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by Spud6 - 07-12-2009, 04:14 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-12-2009, 04:27 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by BlackcatAlum - 07-12-2009, 05:12 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-12-2009, 05:31 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by Stardust - 07-12-2009, 07:53 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by Spud6 - 07-12-2009, 09:44 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-13-2009, 05:40 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-13-2009, 05:47 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by thetribe - 07-13-2009, 07:15 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by kywldcat01 - 07-13-2009, 07:35 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by thetribe - 07-13-2009, 11:29 PM
Holmes' Johnson shines in Take 5ive - by -STAT- - 07-14-2009, 01:01 AM
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