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All-American |
It is great to see JR further his basketball career at USC Salkehatchie in Walterboro...Great story today in the T&D...
Johnson takes game to Turkey By BRIAN LINDER, T&D Sports EditorSaturday, May 31, 2008 Leave a Comment | Default | Large ST. MATTHEWS -- JR Johnson put his steps before his thoughts. It was a simple enough, everyday thing -- step out of the shop and onto the sidewalk. But, in a city with a little over 11 million people, traffic congestion makes the sidewalks fair game. He almost didn’t see the motorcycle coming. “The motorcycle came right in front of me,” Johnson said. “Even when we were walking on the sidewalks, motorcycles and mopeds would come weaving right between us.” Nothing is worse than being caught up in traffic congestion, crawling along the streets at a snail’s pace, and watching a biker go blowing by you along the sidewalk. A few bikers were a few too many for the disgruntled Turkish cabbies out on the street. Before him, Johnson watched a Turkish tradition unfold as the angry carriers formed a coalition of steel, ensuring everyone would suffer. “The taxi drivers would get mad and protest,” Johnson said with a laugh. “They would open up all of their doors so the motorcycles couldn’t get through.” The former Calhoun County star guard, a 2007 T&D All-Area first teamer, and current member of the USC Salkehatchie basketball team, found himself in Istanbul May 11-22 as part of an outreach basketball team selected from the United States to take part in a Turkish sports festival. For a young man that hasn’t spent much time outside of a classroom or gym in, well, just about as long as he can remember -- it was an experience unlike any other. The checklist of new experiences was extensive: Nine-hour flight. Check. Exchange dollars to Euros. Check. Take in the city. Check. Experience another country and culture. Check. Play some ball. Check. Adjust to the cuisine. Nope. Not happening. In Turkey, there’s nothing like a little menemen -- prepared with roasted tomatoes, peppers, olive oil and eggs -- for breakfast. Wash it all down with some black tea, and you are eating good. That is, unless you are Johnson. “I’m not even sure what some of the food was,” Johnson said. “They are famous for apple tea and stuff like that. They were serving food ... I can’t even describe anything like that. I really didn’t care for their food all that much.” The new experiences didn’t stop on the basketball court, where most of Johnson’s time was spent. He shone, averaging nearly 14 points and six assists per game, while adjusting to a style of play that was far more physical and even allowed for three-steps after the dribble when driving the lane, one more than is allowed in the American game. Games moved from inside gyms to the streets where the tall-standing buildings blocked the sun, keeping the court cool as crowds gathered around, standing shoulder to shoulder, to watch the Americans put together an 8-1 record against teams made up of college and professional players from countries such as Pakistan and Belgium. “Everyone cheered for the Americans,” he said. “They wanted to see the Americans play and they wanted to talk to us and ask us questions.” His European tour over, Johnson is back home preparing for the upcoming season at USC Salkehatchie, where he was a leader on the floor last season, averaging nearly 11 points per game. “Every day I am working hard,” he said. “I’m going to the gym and trying to get better. I’m lifting weights and trying to get bigger. I’ve been playing with a lot of people that can help me. “I’ve been playing with Buck Fredrick and my friend ‘Toine,” he continued. “They call me every morning at 9 a.m. to get up and play ball.”     |
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