March 12, 2009
Dickson will be a Hornet
The usual truism runs along the lines of what really matters is who you know. However, in some cases it’s also who you know and who they know. At least for Fairfield High’s John Dickson.
Dickson takes his talent to Sacramento
Fairfield is still participating in the playoffs with a game tonight on the road against St. Francis. Where the Falcons will find themselves after that and how far they go depends on winning every game from here on out. Where 6-foot-5 John Dickson will be going -- at least come next August -- is Sacramento State to play for Coach Brian Katz.
Katz was a fixture at San Joaquin Delta College for 15 years before assuming the reins as the men’s basketball coach in the state capital. He is widely respected and, of course, his friends and acquaintances are many. They include Eddie Wilson, Fairfield’s boys basketball coach. That’s one of the reasons Dickson chose Sacramento State.
"I selected Sac State because I love the coaching staff there," Dickson said. "I’ve known Coach Katz since my sophomore year and my high school coach is close to him. Coach [Katz] wrote me a letter, indicating he was really interested in me. It’s the right place for me and a good location."
Dickson toured the Sacramento State campus on an earlier unofficial visit, then did an official trip there. He also went on an unofficial sojourn to USF. After a short period of weighing his options, he made the call to head up Interstate 80.
Katz is looking to position Dickson at various spots but primarily at the 2 and the 3 and possibly the 4 depending upon the matchup. He joins 6-foot-9 Illinois prepster Dani Lopez as the first two high schoolers on Katz’ Hornet roster.
Dickson’s academics are fine and he’s looking to major in business management and marketing.
Asked to self-assess his basketball talents, Dickson succinctly offered, "I’m a hard worker." For the uninitiated, Dickson is known as a major athlete who is a fierce competitor.
We also queried Dickson about what he saw as the differences between himself as a freshman and now as a senior. He said, "I have a better basketball IQ, an improved jumpshot and working in the weight room has helped me with my speed and explosion." He also participates in track at Fairfield.
Hoops runs in the family as Dickson’s mother played at Eastern Washington and his cousin is DeNesha Stallworh who is headed to Cal. He credits his mother as his biggest basketball influence. "She pushed me to be better," he said.