Article 187: Johnson twins ready to battle

April 28, 2011

The St. Francis Lancers will have the services of Khalid and Khalil Johnson, 2013 twins who both play the guard position. During this past year, Khalid was on varsity while Khalil will join varsity in his junior year. Both Johnsons are also speed merchants on the track and field team.

At 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, Khalid Johnson is primarily a point guard who models his game after Duke star Kyrie Irving because of the way he creates opportunities for himself and his teammates while also playing solid defense. Khalid is a finesse player who utilizes his speed and quickness to create assist opportunities.

At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Khalil Johnson is a slasher who likes to get to the basket and play above the rim. He has a quick, first step that allows him to get into the lane quickly. As a result, he patterns his game after Rudy Gay.

During this summer, the Johnsons will be playing for their Roadrunners club team. Khalid plans to work on his pull up jump shot and his three point shooting because he wants his perimeter shot to complement his ability to get to the basket. Khalil will work on his shooting and defense.

Roadrunners Head Coach Curtis Haggins says about Khalid, "His strengths are his overall ability to run a team, speed, toughness, and passing ability. He can also finish at the basket and make open shots. On the court, he hates to lose and plays fearless. He's a hard worker." Coach Haggins says about Khalil, "His strengths are his overall athletic ability and speed. He has the ability to finish and to make open shots. On the court, he's a fierce competitor that loves competition."

Both brothers are also track and field standouts. They are both open to going to college in either basketball or track and field. Khalid runs the 100 meter in 11.01 seconds and can long jump 20 feet and 11 inches. Khalil runs the 100 meter in 11.28 seconds and can long jump 22 feet and 8 inches.

The recruiting process is early for these two. But on the basis of just pure athletic ability, both of them should start to garner more attention for either basketball or track and field. In addition, the Lancers will have a much more seasoned team next year to challenge in both the WCAL and the state playoffs.

Coach Haggins says about Khalid, "I think he's a D1 point guard and he just needs to make jumpers consistently and hopefully he grows some more too. He runs track right now at St. Francis. Academically, he's doing well at St. Francis too." Coach Haggins says about Khalil, "I think if he continues to develop his shot and ball handling skills that he can play college ball somewhere just because of his athletic ability. Also, he runs track and is currently 12th in the state in the long jump."

The brothers were not on the same basketball team during their first two years. So, their junior year will be the first time at St. Francis that they will lace it up together. Aside from being twin brothers, the Johnsons feed off of each other's energy.

Both want to play in an up tempo program on the west coast with a strong academic program. Both want to have a breakout junior year and a deep run in the playoffs. Expect the Johnson twins to be double the trouble for opposing WCAL opponents in Mountain View in this upcoming season.