It's Heritage time

Heritage High took the championship of the Don Bambauer Memorial Holiday Classic with a 72-52 victory over St. Joseph. Backcourter George Johnson was named the most valuable player. Earlier in the season, he totaled 30 points (including six treys) in a win over Castro Valley High. Talk about coming on.

George Johnson working it this spring and summer

Heritage High's George Johnson has been active this spring and summer. Here is video footage of him at work:



and



From an earlier post, here's a take by Frank Burlison: "George Johnson (5-9/2013/Brentwood, CA, Heritage): He was both quick and slick – a pretty good combination for a point guard at that size. He also played on-balance – another nifty thing that impresses college recruiters"

George Johnson impressing down south

Frank Burlison on watching George Johnson at the Fullcourt Press All-West Camp:

*George Johnson (5-9/2013/Brentwood, CA, Heritage): He was both quick and slick – a pretty good combination for a point guard at that size. He also played on-balance – another nifty thing that impresses college recruiters.

The 2012 Nevada CC Wolverines

The Nevada Wolverines are headed by Garry-Hill Thomas, the former Bishop O'Dowd, Oakland Soldier and Nevada Wolf Pack star guard who also played for the Reno Bighorns. The team participates in a number of Bay Area tournaments.

Below is video of the Wolverines:



Three northern California/Bay Area prospects are team members:

* George Johnson, 5-foot-10, Heritage High, 2013
Nevada Wolverines Elite 17U

Very skilled and athletic point guard who runs the show. He is a strong ball handler and passer who distributes the ball well and shoots accurately from three-point range. His floor vision is solid and he is a tenacious on ball defender. Call him a pass first point guard with the ability to break down any defender and get his own shot off. He is at his best in transition and playing in a fast paced offensive style. Is the #35th ranked player in 2013 by NorCalPreps

 * Jamir Andrews, 6-foot-2, Dublin High, 2013
Nevada Wolverines Elite 17U

Andrews is a big guard and a natural scorer who can create his own shot. His range extends beyond the regular three-point line (24 feet) and he can shoot off the catch or dribble but also get to the basket and finish. He is deadly from the arc with space and his feet set. His ball handling is quick and he has the ability to get anywhere on the floor he wants to go. Andrews is the most underrated guard in the Bay Area and should easily be among the players on the 2013 Top 40 list. Just received his first D-1 offer from Northern Arizona over the last couple of weeks.

* Pierre Carter, 6-foot-4, Heritage High, 2013
Nevada Wolverines Elite 17U

A lengthy and skilled guard who can play the 1, 2, or 3. He shoots the ball well, defends and plays very smart. He was an All-BVAL quarterback for Heritage this past season on the football field. Pierre has emerged on the AAU scene this spring and turned the heads of many college coaches. A combo guard who is comfortable playing the point or shooting guard positions, he is a pass-first guard with great vision and the ability to read defenses. He uses his length well to guard the top players on the other teams. He can create for himself, driving to the basket, shooting the pull up or shooting off the catch and is comfortable in transition from both guard positions.

The other Wolverines are Silver State prepsters:

* Hunter Myers, 6-foot-7,Douglas High, 2013

* EJ Poulson, 6-foot-9, Galena High, 2013

* Brian Smith, 6-foot-9, Spanish Springs High, 2012

* Rafe King, 6-foot-3, Carson High, 2013

* John Carlson, 6-foot-7, Damonte High, 2013

* James Herrick, 6-foot-10, Douglas High, 2014

A George Johnson update

Here's the latest on Heritage High 2013 point George Johnson:

"The 2013 Northern California point guard is out right now for about a week due to a sprained ankle but watch some recent footage"

Go here for the up-to-date video.

Meet George Johnson

George Johnson is at a new school this year and the 2013 basketball prospect is settling in and getting acquainted with his new teammates and Coach Pat Cruikshank. Here's a Q-and-A with him:

Q - Where will you be playing this season?

GJ - I will be playing at Heritage High School (Brentwood, CA). I transferred from De La Salle.

Q - What was the reason(s) for the transfer and how does your new team look for the 2011-2012 season?

GJ - I transferred because of the distance DLS was away from Brentwood as well as the tuition costs were a little too high for my parents. Our team looks pretty good. We’ve got some size and we’re a pretty close group.  But the league has some tough teams in it with Freedom and Deer Valley. We’ll compete though.

Q - What position will you be playing?

GJ - Point Guard

Q - Did you work on anything specifically this summer?

GJ - I’ve been lifting weights and shooting a lot of shots. I’ve also been trying to put a lot of focus on strengthening my legs. My knees have been hurting the last few months from growing. Just trying to get as strong as possible.

Q – What do you see as your on-court strengths?

GJ - I think my ability to shoot the ball, see the floor as well as ball handling are my strengths. My defense has gotten better but still need to improve that, and continue to get stronger.

Q – How are you doing academically?

GJ - I’m doing decent academically.  Around a 3.0. I’m struggling in Chemistry though.

Revisiting George Johnson and G-VisionSports

 G-VisionSports

Here's a note from George Johnson/G-Vision Sports on the new business venture he has established. His intent is to offer custom athletic profile web sites for male and female athletes in all sports:

As a former high school basketball player graduating in 1990 from Mt. Diablo High School, I remember what I had to do to get recruited. Back then, we didn’t have all the AAU teams and tournament options that the kids have now. We didn’t have the internet either.

For me, basically my club team coach wrote me a basic form letter and told me to send it out to the coaches and schools of interest to me. So I took the letter and put together a few games on a VHS tape and send it out to several schools. Many schools just sent back basic form letters but a good handful were really interested.

I eventually went to Oregon Tech (NAIA school, Klamath Falls , OR ) on a basketball scholarship to play for Hall of Fame Coach Dan Miles. The second year I got homesick, transferred and finished playing at Cal State Hayward but the point is I learned how to market myself.
    
And it worked.

A few years later, I graduated with a Marketing degree from Cal State Hayward.

Today, with the internet, YouTube, all the AAU teams and so many tournaments, it would seem to be easier than it was 20 years ago to get seen. But instead, it’s just way more competitive than ever before with so many athletes and events.

Using the same basic sales techniques as before, along with more advanced technology including desktop publishing, web design, and experience from both playing and coaching, I’ve started G-Vision Sports.

My aim is to help high school athletes and their parents with the process of earning a scholarship. If you’re 6-foot-6 then you may not have to market yourself, but if you’re smaller, there’s a lot more competition.

You can visit G-VisionSports for a basic breakdown of the marketing concept that I’m promoting.

These websites can be used to store your child's athletic career photos, internet articles, YouTube videos, honors, academic scores, as well as high school program and AAU team information (schedules, current coach phone #’s, mailing address, etc.). It’s a good idea for several different reasons.

1. A site can be used to assist with college recruitment -- a portal that you can provide to potential coaches so they can go to see your entire athletic profile, in one simple location. This can be a very useful resource to allow additional visibility -- a good marketing tool.

2. It's a great way to archive your son’s or daughter's entire athletic career -- a professionalized “ONLINE SCRAPBOOK”, so friends, family and the athlete himself or herself can always keep up, or look back on personal accomplishments.

3. Each year as the player gets more photos, articles, accomplishments (all league, all tournament, etc.) or new video footage, just add it to the site.  It is creating an organized library so your memories are arranged and safe.

    Prices are reasonable and service is excellent. Website domain names can be personalized to the athlete himself or herself and the overall design theme can be personalized towards a high school or AAU team, making it an attractive option. We can tailor it for all sports, boys and girls!

Kevin McCarthy: The one absolute in recruiting but also just in gaining recognition is accessibility. A number of times, I have become interested in following a high school player in order to determine if a full-length article is warranted only to find the information on Player X is miniscule to non-existent. Locating contact information sometimes is even a more difficult task, especially during spring and summer when club basketball play is happening but it's not clear who is playing for what team. I don't have any financial interest in George Johnson's venture but I urge prospects to take a good look at the benefits. Make sure you control your future.

George Johnson and G-VisionSports

Here's a note from George Johnson on the new business venture he has established. His intent is to offer custom athletic profile web sites for male and female athletes in all sports:

As a former high school basketball player graduating in 1990 from Mt. Diablo High School, I remember what I had to do to get recruited. Back then, we didn’t have all the AAU teams and tournament options that the kids have now. We didn’t have the internet either.

For me, basically my club team coach wrote me a basic form letter and told me to send it out to the coaches and schools of interest to me. So I took the letter and put together a few games on a VHS tape and send it out to several schools. Many schools just sent back basic form letters but a good handful were really interested.

I eventually went to Oregon Tech (NAIA school, Klamath Falls , OR ) on a basketball scholarship to play for Hall of Fame Coach Dan Miles. The second year I got homesick, transferred and finished playing at Cal State Hayward but the point is I learned how to market myself.
    
And it worked.

A few years later, I graduated with a Marketing degree from Cal State Hayward.

Today, with the internet, YouTube, all the AAU teams and so many tournaments, it would seem to be easier than it was 20 years ago to get seen. But instead, it’s just way more competitive than ever before with so many athletes and events.

Using the same basic sales techniques as before, along with more advanced technology including desktop publishing, web design, and experience from both playing and coaching, I’ve started G-Vision Sports.

My aim is to help high school athletes and their parents with the process of earning a scholarship. If you’re 6-foot-6 then you may not have to market yourself, but if you’re smaller, there’s a lot more competition.

You can visit G-VisionSports for a basic breakdown of the marketing concept that I’m promoting.

These websites can be used to store your child's athletic career photos, internet articles, YouTube videos, honors, academic scores, as well as high school program and AAU team information (schedules, current coach phone #’s, mailing address, etc.). It’s a good idea for several different reasons.

1. A site can be used to assist with college recruitment -- a portal that you can provide to potential coaches so they can go to see your entire athletic profile, in one simple location. This can be a very useful resource to allow additional visibility -- a good marketing tool.

2. It's a great way to archive your son’s or daughter's entire athletic career -- a professionalized “ONLINE SCRAPBOOK”, so friends, family and the athlete himself or herself can always keep up, or look back on personal accomplishments.

3. Each year as the player gets more photos, articles, accomplishments (all league, all tournament, etc.) or new video footage, just add it to the site.  It is creating an organized library so your memories are arranged and safe.

    Prices are reasonable and service is excellent. Website domain names can be personalized to the athlete himself or herself and the overall design theme can be personalized towards a high school or AAU team, making it an attractive option. We can tailor it for all sports, boys and girls!

Kevin McCarthy: The one absolute in recruiting but also just in gaining recognition is accessibility. A number of times, I have become interested in following a high school player in order to determine if a full-length article is warranted only to find the information on Player X is miniscule to non-existent. Locating contact information sometimes is even a more difficult task, especially during spring and summer when club basketball play is happening but it's not clear who is playing for what team. I don't have any financial interest in George Johnson's venture but I urge prospects to take a good look at the benefits. Make sure you control your future.