Colorado's Veronica Johns-Richardson

[kate dawg]

CU's top recruit, Veronica Johns-Richardson of Troy High School in Fullerton, Calif. was just named the California CIF South Section player of the year for Division I-A along with Courtney Young. Not bad.....according to the Boulder Daily Camera she averaged a near quadruple-double during the second half o the season...

I felt I needed to share since all i read about are greenawalt and robinette...lol. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

---from the Daily Camera-----
http://www.thedailycamera.com/buffzone/sports/15sjohns.html

"As Colorado heads to the NCAA women's basketball tournament, coach Ceal Barry has good reason to look ahead to next season — and not just because the Buffs only have one senior.

"Veronica Johns-Richardson, one of CU's two fall signees, led Troy High in Placentia, Calif., to a 58-51 upset of Buena High of Ventura for the CIF Southern Section Division I-A championship. Buena was the No. 1-ranked team in the country by USA Today.

A 5-10 guard, Johns-Richardson scored 19 points, including two 3-pointers in the second half, and shut down Tennessee-bound Courtney Young in the title game.

Johns-Richardson was named Player of the Year for Orange County by the Orange County Register newspaper.

Johns-Richardson was a terror after the Christmas break in leading Troy to an 18-game winning streak. She almost averaged a quadruple-double during that span with 19 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and eight steals per game.

When Barry recruited her, Johns-Richardson was a point guard for Troy. But she was moved to two-guard this season.

"With out offense, we run a two-guard front anyway, so it's irrelevant," Barry said. "What I like about her is her athleticism and her size and strength. And the type of offense we run, we really give our guards a lot of freedom."

[Press]

It looks as though Barry is going a little more athletic with Johns-Richardson and Cecily Jones, from Houston?

[kate dawg]

I hear that VJR isn't too athletic, but this would indicate otherwise...and Jones had ACL surgery and is a BIG kid, so I dont' know how athletic she will be. but she seems to be getting athletic with her recruits, because it's the main thing CU lacks.

[unkiemark]

Johns-Richardson is very athletic. It's one of the reason's she gets so many steals. I anticipate she will make an immediate impact regardless of whether she plays in the backcourt, or is forced to play some at small forward due to the Linda Lappe possibly not being available next season.

Jones is big, I saw her at CU's camp last summer. I am not sure I would say she is real athletic. The Buffs wanted her as they were looking more size in the post.

[unkiemark]

Here is the link to an article from the LA Times about Johns-Richardson earning Orange County POY honors: http://www.latimes.com/editions/orange/prepsports/20010327/t000026486.html

[warriorchick]

Just a bit of insider perspective...i go to the same school veronica did, im a senior this year. she is without a doubt an amazing athlete, and im not saying that just cuz i go to the same school she did. if she was a crappy athlete, id tell you so. if you watch her play you'd be amazed and how much power, control, and spirit she has, its crazy! she deserved each and every one of the awards bestowed on her, as she was an allaround superb athlete, a great student, and a wonderful person! i'm looking for great things to come of her!

[swok34]

welcome, warrior......believe you may be our first fan from
California here on hoopscoop......hope you stay or return to follow Veronica next year.....

Is Mandy Nightingale a senior this year?

[unkiemark]

Yes, Mandy Nightingale is a senior this season. From what we've seen of J-R this season she appears to be the real deal. Next season she may be the starter at point guard. She is very athletic and one of the best finishers in the team. What she needs to work on is her shooting, she's inconsistent. At this point she is getting all her playing time at small forward, but that's because CU needs her there with Linda Lappe hurt.

[warriorchick]

i certainly hope to stay and follow everything...just depends on how my senior year goes...some of my teachers are loading us with so much work its nutz. oh well, im glad vjr is doing good and helping out the team....it would be cool if she started next year...im sure the shooting inconsistency will soon clear up, she is still a freshman and college bball is a whole new world compared to high school anyways. later and thanks for the welcome swok34.