August 24, 2011
As in the 2003 Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo, the Pinole Valley Spartans will be looking for 2012 dual sport star Nehemiah Winston to find his stroke on both the basketball hard court and football field. The Spartans had a successful football season last year when they were able to go 11-1-1 before losing in the third round of the postseason. Winston will be only in his second year of football this upcoming season as a tight end and safety.
On the hard court, Pinole Valley went 19-9 last season. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Winston can play the small forward position. During this past summer, he played for the Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue club.
Soldiers Coach Ray Thomas says, "Nehemiah is an athletic 3/4 type player. He has a great midrange jumper. His strength is rebounding and being physical. He is very vocal leader. Nemo (nick name) is a passionate player who is all over the court, doing all the dirty work. Off the court, he is a cool, calm cat that treats everybody like his brother. College wise, I believe Nemo will play D1 football."
Chico State and Sacramento State have shown some interest for Winston on the basketball court. In addition, Winston has a 3.50 GPA and a qualifying SAT score.
Winston is no doubt an athlete as he can run the 40 yard dash in 4.60 seconds, bench press 265 pounds, and squat 300 pounds. These skills allowed him to catch 15 passes that included 8 touchdown receptions last season. Those numbers earned him first team ACCAL.
Pinole Valley football coach Steve Alameda used these short phrases to describe Winston. "Good athlete...only 2nd year of football coming up...plays basketball...3.5 student...elected captain by his peers...good hands...average speed... better deep threat than short stuff...combo of smarts, athleticism, size tough to overlook...Needs to greyshirt and redshirt but will be a good D1 guy."
The Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez tight end and forward combination type of player is getting more football interest. The schools that have shown interest include Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, San Jose State, Stanford, UC Davis, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.
The 2003 Pixar film was about a juvenile clownfish looking to find his way in the vastness of the great oceanic water. The 2011 Finding Nemo version is about a Pinole Valley high school dual sport teenager trying to find his way in the college recruiting gauntlet. Watch for Nemo to come out victorious in this gauntlet in Pinole Valley this upcoming season.
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