MCWILLIAMS FINDS WAY AT THE MASTER’S
A dual-sport star at San Marcos High School, Johnny McWilliams had his choice of sports and colleges.
A tall, lanky, athletic receiver, McWilliams had San Diego State and Boise State offering football scholarships.
A shooter/slasher in basketball, he had offers from Nevada, Colorado State and Rice before deciding to play at Fresno State.
“My dad (also Johnny) was a two-sport guy at USC,” said the 6-foot-6 McWilliams. “He was a 6-5 power forward in basketball and a prototypical NFL tight end.”
Johnny Sr. chose football and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round and played five years in the NFL with the Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.
Johnny’s little brother Tyson was a two-sport standout at St. Augustine High, choosing to play football at Cal, where he redshirted last year as a freshman.
“In a way, I do regret not choosing football,” Johnny said. “The way I’m built now, 6-6, 230 pounds, I could be that big receiver teams are looking for.
“I liked playing football, but I hated football practice. Bottom line, I love everything about basketball too much to not make it my main sport.”
Johnny, who averaged 25.2 points and 6.5 rebounds as a senior at San Marcos, was an All-CIF selection. In three years at Fresno State, he played in 53 games, but just 512 minutes.
Two years ago, he decided to leave the Bulldogs program.
After taking a year off, he landed at The Master’s University, a nondenominational, Christian liberal arts school in Santa Clarita that plays at the NAIA level.
“This was bigger than basketball; it was a life decision,” McWilliams said. “After being at a state school, The Master’s was a huge adjustment. I’ve calmed down, matured. I’ve learned that faith is a good thing.
“Being at a Christian school took some adjustment.”
The Master’s has a definite San Diego feel.
Head coach Jordan Starr was an assistant to Brad Leaf at Foothills Christian. Starr’s sons — Jordan and Caden — as well as the Lowery brothers — Kaleb and Thomas — played at Foothills Christian before transferring to Santa Clarita Christian.
Ryan Beddeo, like McWilliams a redshirt senior, convinced Johnny to give The Master’s a try.
“Playing for Jordan Starr has been a huge blessing,” McWilliams said. “He’s a great coach, a coach who allows you to play. At Fresno State, I was always looking over my shoulder. I didn’t know if I made a mistake if I’d stay in the game.
“Plus, Starr is a great role model.”
McWilliams has revived his career at The Master’s, averaging 10.7 points in 14 games.
He scored a career-high 34 points against Southwest Assembly of God Indian College and had 23 against Benedictine Mesa and Ottawa University of Arizona (QUAZ).
The team finished the regular season 17-5, including 5-5 in a conference that includes Vanguard, William Jessup, Arizona Christian, Westmont, Hope International, Menlo, Life Pacific, San Diego Christian and
QUAZ.
With all college players getting an extra year of eligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, McWilliams plans to be back at The Master’s next season.
“There is opportunity here,” McWilliams said. “We have a great young team, and I’ve taken on a mentortype role. Plus, I want to get my MBA, so why not come back, play and let someone else pay for the rest of my education?”
Basketball
Guard Isaac Davis (San Diego City College) is averaging 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists for Vanguard. The latter ranks third in NAIA Division I. Teammate Phillip Willis (Maranatha Christian) is averaging 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Destiny Littleton (Bishop’s) is averaging 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds for 19-4 and No. 7-ranked South Carolina. A junior guard, Littleton played two years at Texas before transferring.
Women’s volleyball
Freshman Sam Taumoepeau (Mt. Carmel) has 47 kills in 10 matches at Cal.
McKenna Marshall
(Ramona) has a team-high 62 kills through five matches at USF.
In 10 matches, sophomore libero Karenna Wurl
(Cathedral Catholic) leads 7-3 North Carolina with 169 digs and 13 service aces.
Senior setter Brynn Chandler (Torrey Pines) has 206 assists, 100 digs and leads Georgia with 14 aces in 14 matches.
Men’s lacrosse
Virginia freshman goalie Bobby Gavin (Torrey Pines) was thrust into action as a starter against Army last month and allowed goals on the first four shots. But he rallied and stopped 13 of the next 18 shots, finished with 13 saves as No. 3-ranked Virginia won the match 14-9. He also picked up six ground balls and caused a pair of turnovers.
Gavin was named the ACC Defensive Player of the
Week for his effort. Gavin played 11 minutes and had three saves in the season opener against Towson. After the Army match, he had nine saves in a 15-12 win over Loyola-Maryland.
Baseball
Baseball America tabbed junior RHP/1B Grant Holman (Eastlake) of Cal as a first-team Preseason AllAmerican.
Spencer Jones (La Costa Canyon), a sophomore LHP/1B for No. 6 Vanderbilt, was named secondteam Preseason All-American.
Mason Pelio (Rancho Bernardo), a senior RHP from Boston College, was named third-team Preseason All-American.
Pelio was tabbed as the No. 35 college prospect in the MLB Draft, while Holman is No. 50. Oregon State RHP Kevin Abel (Madison) is No. 61, Tulane RHP Braden Olthoff (El Camino/Palomar College) is No. 67 and UCLA RHP Nick Nastrini (Cathedral Catholic) is No. 95.
RHP Derek Diamond (Ramona) is tabbed to be in the starting rotation at Ole Miss. Jacob Blas (San Marcos) is the starting shortstop at Arizona while Mac Bingham (Torrey Pines) is the starter in left field. Freshman Leo Mosby (Westview) is the starting third baseman at UC Santa Barbara.