Prospect Spotlight: Luke Johnson (2018)
The word “rebuilding” is not used around the Longmont basketball program often. The word “reloading” tends to work better when describing a squad that continuously finds itself among the state’s best. With the exit of a number of seniors who…
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Continue ReadingThe word “rebuilding” is not used around the Longmont basketball program often. The word “reloading” tends to work better when describing a squad that continuously finds itself among the state’s best.
With the exit of a number of seniors who steered back-to-back trips to the state semifinals, including current Boise State freshman Justinian Jessup, the Trojans will be turning to a score of new players to carry the load.
One of those players is 5-10 junior guard Luke Johnson, who is coming off an impressive spring and summer with the Colorado Titans, not to mention a noteworthy performance in the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo last month in Lakewood.
Johnson was ranked No. 220 out of the hundreds of 2018 players nationwide who participated in the expo series.
“It feels pretty good,” Johnson said. “I haven’t been recognized very much, and I think I’m starting to become a good player. I think these next few years are going to be really big for me.”
Johnson, a point guard, has a nice feel for the game. He’s a consistently accurate passer, can shoot it well and routinely makes the right decision with the ball in his hands.
As he prepares to step into a larger role with Longmont, he’s worked to add even more to his game.
“I think I’m attacking more, becoming more aggressive and becoming a better scorer,” Johnson said. “I know I have to step up this season for Longmont.”
Johnson said he has also spent a lot of time in the weight room preparing for the physical rigors of playing high-level varsity ball. He got a taste of varsity action last season, but with such a loaded lineup of seniors there wasn’t much playing time available.
That should change this season for Johnson, who said Concordia (Neb.) has been the first college to express interest. If Johnson leads and expands his game like he believes he can, others should follow suit over the next two years.
“We lost a lot of seniors, but I’m excited to step up,” Johnson said. “Hopefully we’re going to do a lot of big things this year.”