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Photo by Jake Fray/The Advocate
The Barlow Bunch
Four high school teammates reunite to play on the same court - this time at MHCC
The Advocate
A quarter of the MHCC men’s basketball team is made up of Sam Barlow High School graduates, who have been teammates and friends since childhood.
Go figure that 43 percent of MHCC’s total offense — 33.4 points of the team’s 77.3 points per game — comes from the quartet on the floor: Jeremy Jones (13.2), Garrett Strasburg (9.2), Drew Johnson (6.6) and Dustin Jones (4.4).
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“That’s really good,” said Head Coach Geoff Gibor on the foursome’s offensive threat. “That means that your backyard (Gresham) is producing for you. Just goes to show when you take a bunch of local kids, mix them in with a couple kids from out of state, we can be really good.”
Johnson, the youngest of the bunch, graduated in 2009 while the other three graduated in 2008. In the 2008 campaign, Barlow finished the season 23-5 and advanced to the 6A State Championship tournament at Mac Court in Eugene. The team was sent home disappointed after going two and out during the tournament.
Tom Johnson, Barlow’s varsity head coach and father of Drew Johnson, said the four have come a long way since that ’08 season, both on and off the court. He said it didn’t sink in right away.
“You tend to appreciate guys more after they leave,” he said. “Obviously, with the four of them playing together again it’s pretty special for me. They helped put a mark on Barlow basketball. It’s real gratifying. Physically you The coach has guided Barlow to 21 consecutive playoff appearances in his 24-year career.
Strasburg said the reunion is an opportunity to make up for that ’08 season where he felt the team didn’t finish out the year on a strong note.
“It was heart-breaking not winning it all (at Barlow) that season,” said Strasburg in frustration. “This is a second opportunity to win a championship together. Hopefully we can get it done this time around.”
Tom Johnson has been watching the Saints program and helping them build for years with handing over his graduates. This includes Warner Pacific star Jake Glissan, who was the 2005 Mt. Hood Conference Player of the Year at Barlow as a senior and a two-time All-NWAACC player at MHCC. In his sophomore season as a Saint in 06-07, Glissan averaged 20.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Glissan is Warner Pacific’s top scorer this season with 18.7 points per contest.
“Tom (Johnson) gives me a lot of feedback,” said Gibor. “He’s been real helpful over the years. I have known Tom for about 10 years. I have been able to watch these four guys grow up over the years. That’s the beauty of having open gyms. These guys have been playing at our open gyms for years. So I got a real feel for these players before they even decided to come here. That’s real helpful.”
The four Gresham natives grew up playing basketball, they share a common bond in competing and playing the game to the best of their ability.
Jeremy Jones laughed when he thought of the competitive nature he and Strasburg have shared over the years.
“We have been competing since the fourth grade,” he said. “Not just in basketball, but in baseball and football as well when we were younger. The funny thing was we played the same positions: quarterback, pitcher and forward. So that always put more pressure on us”
Strasburg agreed that the two have shared many special moments together on and off the fields and courts.
“It’s been a love-hate relationship,” said Strasburg. “We grew up being the best at our (respective) sports and we butted heads along the way. That’s what happens when you are the same size and play the same sports. It’s made us stronger.”
Jeremy Jones was the sole reason that Dustin Jones decided to attend MHCC this year after Dustin Jones attended Impact Basketball Academy, a preparatory school in Las Vegas to improve his skills for the college level.
“He (Jeremy Jones) loved it (at MHCC) last year,” said Dustin Jones. “It was one of those things. If things didn’t work out at other colleges, it was going to be an easy decision for me coming to MHCC. We (the foursome) have been around each other for a long time and it just clicks when we are on the court.”
Dustin Jones is the nephew of Barlow great and University of Oregon star Fred Jones, who was a two-time 4A State Player of the Year at Barlow and their all-time leading scorer. Fred Jones went on to play eight seasons in the NBA for five teams (Pacers, Raptors, Blazers, Knicks and Clippers). He is currently playing in Italy for Pallacanestro Biella.
Dustin Jones admits that his uncle has been helpful in the development of his game. But he was keen on saying just because the two are related doesn’t mean they are the same person.
“People have always tried to compare the two of us,” said Dustin. “He (Fred) told me, ‘You can’t try to be me, and I can’t try to be you.’ He’s been real helpful over the years. I have to be my own person. He told me I can’t do everything at once and that I wouldn’t become the best (player) overnight. He will always be there to support me and give me the tools I need (to succeed).”
Drew Johnson said, “I’m very thankful for the chance to play with these three again. One of the main reasons I choose MHCC was to play with them. I was originally going to go to Warner Pacific but things didn’t work out as planned.
“Plus we have a connection on the court. I know what moves they have and what to expect from them. I just know how they play the game.”
Gibor agrees that the chemistry between the four started way before they entered the Saints program.
“They know each other very well,” he said. “They know what to expect from one another on the court. They know where to put the ball. Barlow has produced some of our best players through out the history of this program.”
Strasburg said, “I don’t know what it is. It’s like a magnet. We just connect so well on the court.”
Saints assistant coach and Barlow graduate Corey Nielson said, “It’s funny. I worked basketball camps when these guys were in elementary school, so I’ve known them for a long time.”
Drew Johnson believes the style of basketball played under his father at Barlow helped the four prepare for the next level.
“He told me I would go through some tough trials and that it’s not going to be an easy road. But in the end it would make me a stronger person on and off the court. And it hasn’t been easy for me. But I am starting to get to know the system pretty well.”
Coming off the bench was a new role for Drew Johnson this season after starting his previous three seasons at Barlow under his father. He left Barlow as the career leader in assists (342) and steals (132).
Jeremy Jones and Strasburg are also considering playing basketball together for their final two years of college. Each has received letters and offers from the University of Alaska-Anchorage, including a full-ride scholarship for Jones.
They are still undecided. UA-A is a Division II program ranked ninth in the newest regional poll.
The four admit they don’t know what the future holds for them but agreed an NWAACC Championship under their belt in the Tri-Cities this year (March 6-9) would be a great way of going out on top together.
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