Jones goes with Linfield

Cameron Jones is coming off an accomplished year, make that two years, and now he's heading to Linfield College in Oregon to play basketball for Coach Shanan Rosenberg. Linfield is located about 35 miles southwest of Portland.

Now finishing up at Palma High, the 6-foot-4, 215 frontcourter enjoyed a 25-5, 12-0 Chieftain hoops season that concluded with a loss in the semi-finals to eventual state champion St. Patrick-St. Vincent. Preceding this was a successful 10-4, 6-0 run on the gridiron as an offensive lineman with a loss to eventual state champion Campolindo in the NorCal Bowl. The year before, Palma football was 10-2, 6-0 as well as 26-5, 12-0 on the basketball court. The equation that Jones equals success doesn't take an Einstein.

Jones was awarded on the hardwood with First Team All-MBL, MBL All-Defensive Team, and Team Defensive MVP.

So why Linfield? "I was looking at all my options," Jones explained. "and Linfield offered a good basketball opportunity, a sports management minor and one-on-one time with professors." He believes he'll be positioned mainoly at the four spot and "Coach Rosenberg plays two bigs and likes to pound the ball inside. I'm in with that."

As to the elements Jones will bring to his new team, he said, "A lot of heart and winning attitude. I love competing and working extremely hard."

In fact, he's already on a off-season workout program with a focus on conditioning, shooting, post moves and dribbling.

Coach Bob Bramlett, of the West Valley Basketball Club of which Jones was a member, was succinct with his words: "Every coach should have a Cameron Jones. We've been fortunate to have him."

Ever grateful, Jones offered, "I'm thankful to my parents, family, coaches and friends who helped motivate me to make this all possible."

He'll be majoring in business.