Prospect Spotlight: Ams Juwara (2021 Southridge HS)

<p>It's a game by game process so far this year for Southridge High School. The Skyhawks have yet to scratch out something in the win column but they are playing hard and putting it all on the floor. <strong>Ams Juwara</strong> is trying to make an impression himself. The strong 5-foot-9, 170-pound point guard transferred over to Southridge for his junior season and he's been trying to do his best to help Southridge as they hit the reset button before Metro League play.</p> <p>"Southridge is a very welcoming community and we've definitely had a change from Coach (Phil) Vesel to Coach Scott (Entemeyer)," Juwara said. "We definitely have a lot of energy and we have a chip on our shoulder. I like the adjustment and I think it's pretty good. I'm definitely fitting in good, playing with my old teammate Barrie (Portis)."</p> <p>The first thing you notice about Juwara is he's very well built physically. The lefty has good quickness with the basketball but can also step back and knock down some shots. Before injury derailed things, he played AAU with Rose City Basketball and now he's with Southridge, he feels like he's better able to showcase his game.</p> <p>"My coach definitely gives me a lot of freedom," Juwara said. "He tells me every day that I'm going to be a true point guard, that my goals, I'm going to get those. So I'm listening to what he's been telling me every day, just being a pass-first point guard. At Beaverton, people kind of saw me as an attacker, but coming here I'm trying to expand my jumpshot so that teams know that I'm a shooter."</p> <p>Juwara hopes to continue playing on at the college level. Like almost everyone else at this point, he's aiming high - and he has a dream school in mind. "This is a big year for me really and I'm trying to get my grades up and improve my game," Juwara said. "Oregon State is my dream - I just like (Gill) Coliseum, my brother and sister went there. I like the campus and I've been a Beaver fan all my life. Definitely D-I is my goal but whatever is given to me is a blessing."</p> <p>Southridge has a few more non-conference games upcoming and all will be tough - South Salem, Clackamas, West Linn, and South Eugene. It won't get any easier with conference play after that but Juwara believes the Skyhawks are ready.</p> <p>"Metro is going to be a tough league for us," Juwara said. "We play Jesuit in the first game and I have that marked on my calendar. But I think we're ready."</p> <p>Juwara currently ranks as the #34 ranked player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.</p>