October 8, 2010
Green is macho to be a Gaucho
In South America, gauchos herd cattle on the pampas. It’s different though in the northern hemisphere where Gauchos corral basketball opponents -- specifically Mustangs, Titans, Matadors, 49ers, Aggies, Anteaters, Highlanders and Tigers. Adding himself to the posse, former Castlemont High and current Westwind (Phoenix) Prep basketballer,John Green has decided to saddle up and ride with Coach Bob Williams and the 2010-2011 Big West Conference favorite UC Santa Barbara.
UC Santa Barbara went ‘Big Dancing’ last season. Related to that achievement, the hoops fortunes of The Thunderdome residents have improved ever since the heavy importation of Bay Area ballers, now totaling 11 counting the 6-foot-6 Green.
In the latter’s case, it was a multitude of reasons that swayed his decision.
"It’s a great fit overall," said Green adding "Coach Williams kept it [recruiting] real, I liked the guys, it’s not too far away, there is a winning tradition and the offense is run through the 2 and the 3 positions." Star players Orlando Johnson and James Nunnally, measuring 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-5 respectively, currently man those spots but both are juniors with but another season of eligibility remaining.
Green also mentioned "From some of the dorms, you can see the beach" -- a built-in environmental advantage that the Gaucho coaching staff uniformly utilizes.
He felt "a feeling of excitement" after making his decision and promptly poured in 38 points for Westwind in a match against the Arizona Legends, a team comprised of ex-college players.
Asked how being at Westwind is different from high school, Green explained "They [the coaches] definitely push you harder and work to get you better, it’s more strict and being away from home means there is no hand-holding going on."
He is focusing on skill development in his defensive play, ballhandling and shooting this season. He, ahem, appears to have the scoring of points down pat as the Legends will surely attest.
The Westwind schedule is chock full of community college opponents from the area, plus vaunted Finlay Prep out of Las Vegas and other opponents of significance so weekly challenges await Green and his teammates.
It was California’s Mike Montgomery, sitting next to Williams during one of the numerous tournaments this past summer, who first suggested the Gauchos take a long look at Green. The long term mentor -- 13 years at UCSB -- did just that and liked what he saw.
Of note, other players from the Bay Area at Westwind this year are Kiwi Gardner and Jamal Ford.
Green specifically wished to thank his parents, Coach Phil Handy, the Bay Area Hoosiers organization, his high school coach, Oakland Athletic League Commissioner Michael Moore and all his friends for their support.