WW-P South product relishing college basketball
It was only fitting that Zavon Johnson scored his career high when Stockton visited The College of New Jersey recently.
It made for a perfect homecoming for the West Windsor-Plainsboro South star, and the night was even greater with a large contingent of Pirate, coaches and fans in the stands.
“It’s a dream come true for me to play college basketball,’’ said Johnson, who scored 24 against the Lions. “Then to be able to come out and compete at home in a great atmosphere with all that support was great. We’re like family.’’
Now a senior and an education, major Johnson is averaging 12.7 points, 2.4 assists and he is second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in free throw percentage with an 87.5 mark for the 6-4, 2-3 (NJAC) Ospreys.
One of those in attendance was Johnson’s high school coach Bob Schurtz, and the lessons learned at South are what he carries forward every day.
“He taught me a lot about life and not just basketball,’’ Johnson said of Schurtz, a former TCNJ and All-NJAC quarterback. “I learned how to approach game situations and how to handle them and relate them to real life.’’
A very upbeat and positive person Johnson, who coaches in a summer league, is looking toward teaching and coaching after graduation this spring.
“It’s important to teach kids the game and at the same time teach them that there is more to life than basketball,’’ said Johnson. “Once you capture your ability on the court you should take that hunger into real life.’’
The bonds formed at West Windsor-Plainsboro South are what Johnson brings into every game, and every day as he plays out his senior season.
“This is a time I need to grow up even more,’’ said Johnson. “I have to get ready for the next step.’’
A step he seems ready to take. California (PA) and finished the week with 13 in a win over Concordia. of the Week for the third time this season. …Shaquan Worthy (Trenton) had eight points and a career high 10 assists for No. 23 New Jersey City in a win over Kean. Worthy leads the NJAC with 5.1 assists per game and steals with 2.3 a game. …Elijah Davis (South Hunterdon) averages 10.0 points a game for Moravian. …Larry Joseph (Ewing) had 22 points and seven rebounds and Chris LeBelle (Trenton Catholic) had 18 points in Centenary’s win over FDU-Florham. … Keith Braxton (Lawrenceville) had his fourth doubledouble of the season with 24 points and 12 rebounds as St, Francis (PA) downed Niagara. SWIMMING AND DIVING » TCNJ’s Hannah Raymond (Burlington Twp.) was the NJAC Diver of the Week for the third time this season after finishing first in the one-meter at the Lions Invitational. TRACK AND FIELD » Holy Family’s Ben Morley (Notre Dame) broke his own school record for shot put in the Seahawk Shootout with a distance of 37’9.5. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL » Kaitlin Kelly (Pennsbury) had a buzzer beater to give DeSales a 66-63 win over Sage. The effort earned Kelly the MAC Freedom Player of the Week. …Nneka Ezeigbo (Notre Dame) had a team-high 12 points and nine rebounds as Robert Morris downed Lafayette. WOMEN’S SOCCER » Jess Kelly (Neshaminy) was named to the United Soccer Coaches Division III AllAmerica third team. Kelly was the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Division Player of the Year.