Apr. 13, 2007
BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Bemidji State University
head men's basketball coach Matt Bowen today
announced that Andover High School's Jimmy Johnson
has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Beavers
beginning in the fall of 2007.
"Jimmy is going to be a plus for our
program," stated Bowen of his newest signee. "He
brings size, strength and a post presence that we desperately
need."
"He comes from a team that has experienced
success in the Minnesota State Tournament and from one of
the better AAU programs in the state." Bowen added, "There
is no doubt we are excited to have him at Bemidji State."
Johnson comes to BSU after playing three
seasons at Andover High School while starting each of the
last two in the paint for the Huskies. During his senior season,
Johnson scored nearly 12 points hauled in over seven rebounds
and recorded almost two blocks per game. For his efforts he
was rewarded by being selected All-Northwest Suburban and
earning a spot on the All-State Honorable Mention list. Each
accolade marked the second consecutive season he was honored
in such a way.
A vital cog to the success of AHS over the
past few seasons, Johnson knows what it takes to be a winner
and what it feels like to play in big time situations. Johnson
and his Huskies made three Minnesota State Tournament appearances
earning a fourth place finish in 2005.
Johnson joins Cass Lake-Bena High School
standout Brady Fairbanks and Patrick
Cassidy, who recently completed his high school playing
career at St. Bernard's, in Bowen's first full recruiting
class at BSU. Fairbanks singed an NLI April 11th while Cassidy
made his intentions to attend Bemidji State formal yesterday.
Johnson, Cassidy and Fairbanks are no strangers
to each other. The trio has played together or against each
other in AAU circles over the years. Most recently Johnson
and Cassidy were teammates on a Minnesota Magic Gold team
that took fourth place in the national tournament during the
summer of 2006.
"When you bring in three kids like Brady,
Patrick and Jimmy that all were a part of teams that made
it to the Minnesota State Tournament, you are bringing in
guys that know how to win. Hopefully they will bring that
attitude in to help us," commented Bowen.
Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji,
Minn., is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Beavers are coming
off a season in which they were 5-23 overall and posted 5-13
record in NSIC play. Entering his second season at BSU, Bowen
looks to return 10 players from his 2006-07 roster.
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