Magic Johnson is often used as the litmus test of what a point guard should be. Namely, this position requires agile passing, smooth ball handling, versatile shooting, and basketball smarts. In addition, having height and length to guard various defenders at different spots on the court would be a plus.
Justin Jeangerard is a point guard for the Trinity High Wolves. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he may not be as big and tall as Magic Johnson, but he has all the other attributes. Jeangerard averaged 20.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists last year to help his Wolves to a 19-9 record in the Sacramento Valley League. The Wolves finished third in their section and ended the season with a 54-53 loss to Hamilton.
Jeangerard has been playing basketball since the second grade and has been a varsity starter for the Wolves since his sophomore year. He runs 4.96 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 220 pounds, and has a vertical of 28 inches. During his downtime, he works on his shooting and driving skills to add to his offensive arsenal.
He considers his best basketball skill to be his sense for the game as he has an uncanny way of knowing where people are positioned on the floor and the best ways to distribute the ball. In addition, he can create matchup problems for the opposing defenders. He has the size to overpower smaller guards while he has the quickness to break down bigger forwards.
Trinity High Coach Jaime Green says, "Justin is 16 years old which is a full year early as a senior. He was moved up for academics when he was young. He is the best high school basketball player that I have ever coached or for that matter been on the floor when I am coaching. He comes from a rich basketball family. His grandfather won an Olympic Gold with Bill Russell and they are still friends today. He has played varsity the past two years and has scored over 1000 points. He is very unselfish and his point total could be much higher."
Last year against Etna High, the Wolves were without their starting forward, Kenny Swain. Jeangerard was forced to play the post and guard the opposing team's interior. In addition, he had to pick up the offensive slack. Jeangerard had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists while holding Etna's best big man to 5 points.
Jeangerard is looking to average a triple-double and become a lockdown defender in his senior year. His team goal is a section championship, a league championship, and a state playoff run. Basketball is Jeangerard's best sport but he also is on the baseball and football team. He has earned all-league honors for each sport.
Academically, Jeangerard has a solid 4.54 GPA with a 1740 SAT. He has taken eight Advanced Placement classes in high school. His favorite subject is Math and has ambitions of majoring in some Engineering program. He considers his most difficult life experience to be his grandfather's Alzheimer. Due to the disease, Jeangerard's grandfather has slowly lost his memories of Jeangerard. Jeangerard uses the experience as inspiration and motivation for his own life.
If Jeangerard can get a little more attention in the small town of Weaverville in Trinity County, then more colleges would be contacting him. Currently, the Portland Pilots and UC Davis are in contact with Jeangerard. Jeangerard has visited many west coast programs on his own to get a flavor of what he wants in a college. Jeangerard wants to play for a fast pace offense that requires the point guard to run the plays. He wants the college to have a welcoming college town atmosphere with a close proximity to nature as he enjoys water and mountain related activities.
Coach Green says, "I feel Justin is a true DI point guard. He is still maturing physically and is an amazing leader and his work ethic is second to none. He will have an explosive senior season. Colleges have shown interest in him and I believe he will get a full ride offer."
Look for Jeangerard to lead the Wolves to another solid season at Trinity High. If that should happen, then expect a magical senior year for this Wolf.
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