Flowers Finishes Season Strong, Then Faces Uncertainty

Ron Bailey, Publisher

April 19, 2007 – John Flowers had by any standard an excellent high school career, culminating in averages of 18 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 6.4 blocked shots, and 1.5 steals per game as a senior, along with election to the All-Washington Athletic Conference and All-Met first teams. Early in the season, he was offered and accepted a scholarship offer to West Virginia University.

Add an opportunity to play in the 34th Annual Capital Classic, and the adage ‘Life is good” should definitely apply to John.

“It went good…it was fun” said Flowers before the Capital Classic, of his culminating high school campaign. “I liked it all”.

Previously, Flowers was more of a back to the basket forward, who did his damage around the tin or out to around 12 feet. Standing 6’7” and weighing around 200 pounds, John knew it was necessary to expand his skill set away from the hoop to be most effective as a forward in big time college hoops.

His migration away from the rim started in earnest last summer, continued throughout the season, and is well along the development continuum. Not surprising for a self-described gym rat.

“It’s been a main focus” said John, of working on is shooting and ball handling in space and away from the basket. “I worked hard, and it got better”.

One needs only look to the Capital Classic to witness his improvement: While contributing 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist and 2 blocks, John not only handled and passed the ball, but rebounded and played around the basket as well. His three point shot, sank with around 1:40 left to play extended the Capital All-Star team’s lead to 142-136, effectively sealing the game. What’s more, the jumper was released with confidence and solid form, and taken despite the opportunity to dribble towards the rim present.

In his eyes, that shot more or less justified the hard work he has put in, as afterward John exclaimed “That’s what I need. It was a big game to shoot it”.

In doing so, he admitted shooting is as much a mental vocation as physical one, and in taking that shot, at that time, in that forum, the effect will be “to get my confidence up”, something top ballplayers always exhibit.

John Flowers, seen here at this year's Capital Classic. On court development is key for Flowers.

Adding to his improvement was once again shouldering the load at St. Mary’s Ryken High School: In doing so, Flowers continued developing his mental toughness also.

When asked about that facet of his game, John responded “It’s about not quitting. It was my time…I had to be a good leader on my team”.

So what could have a young man who not only improved on the court but was recognized for it as well, and had secured an opportunity o play college ball in the Big East Conference next year, in a state of flux?

That would be a collegiate coaching change. The previous head coach at West Virginia, John Beilein, and his staff recruited Flowers to that Morgantown-based institution, only to leave for Michigan after the Mountaineer’s 2006-2007 season concluded.

“It’s confusing, that’s where I am right now, confused” he understandably said of his emotional state since the coaching change.

At the time of the Capital Classic, those unresolved questions had not been answered, but were soon to be, as Flowers shared “I have to talk to Coach Huggins (WVU’s new coach). I want to see what his feelings towards me are, and how he will develop me”.

Helping him through this tough period is his mother, Pam Kelly, a former All-American basketball player at Louisiana Tech. “She’s been mentoring me” throughout the entire process he said, drawing upon her experience not only as a player, but being a “college coach herself”.

However the WVU situation resolves itself, John Flowers will soldier on and prosper, as there are many opportunities for a positive young man with a 3.6 high school GPA, is fully NCAA qualified, and boasts a plethora of athletic ability and basketball skills.

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates on Flowers. Wherever he goes, if it’s West Virginia or elsewhere, success will occur.