HOPING FOR HAPPY RETURNS; VALLEY GRADUATES IN TOWN PLAYING FOR SANTA CLARA.Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer Craig Johnson Craig Johnson may refer to:
This is the road trip they eagerly awaited. The Santa Clara Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. basketball players returned home Thursday to prepare for these critical games. The 16-6 Broncos are tied for first in the West Coast Conference and need a sweep of 7-15, 3-7 LMU LMU Ludwig Maximilians Universität (München) LMU Loyola Marymount University LMU Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) LMU Lincoln Memorial University LMU Location Measurement Unit and 13-9, 5-5 Pepperdine to keep their hopes of a top seeding for the conference tournament alive. That's the team goal. Johnson and Lopez have different personal goals as well. Johnson, a Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame High graduate, excitedly waits for the chance to show his followers followers see dairy herd. a glimpse of his successful season. He has started all 22 games and averaged 11.8 points a game, second best on the team. He also leads the team in forced turnovers and steals, of which he leads the conference with 45. ``You want to play your best in front of your family,'' he said. ``I'm not trying to steal the show. I'm trying to steal the ball.'' Lopez, a junior starting center from Campbell Hall Campbell Hall can refer to:
It has been a rough career for him. He went to Washington out of high school and averaged just 1.5 points and 1.7 rebounds while playing in 26 of 27 games. As a sophomore, his numbers dropped to 1.2 and 1.3 in nine games, and he transferred to Santa Clara and redshirted. His problem, Santa Clara coach Dick Davey said, were twofold. First, he lacks confidence. Plus, playing in just nine games in two years isn't nearly enough to build one's esteem level. ``It's been rough getting back into it,'' Lopez said. Davey was patient with him and the team was balanced enough that lacking a big presence in the post didn't hurt much (Lopez is 6-10). As Lopez struggled (he's averaging 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds), Davey kept him in and stressed defense. As Lopez progressed, Davey slowly increased his minutes. Lopez went from 17-18 minutes a game to 24-25 minutes. ``His confidence level is up,'' Davey said. ``He's scoring more, rebounding more. I keep him in, defensively. We're seeing him progress.'' Lopez counts his highlights to include banging with Gonzaga's big boys and scoring a season-best 10 points against Loyola Marymount. ``It felt so good to bump and grind 1. GRIND - GRaphical INterpretive Display. A graphics input language for the PDP-9. ["GRIND: A Language and Translator for Computer Graphics", A.P. Conn, Dartmouth, June 1969]. 2. with the big men,'' he said. ``It feels good to get into the mix. It's great confidence. I'll help this team get back to the (NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association ) tournament, as long as I do my job and we keep winning.'' Johnson has every intention to keep winning. After making a tournament appearance last year, Johnson wants to do it again. To that end, he not only scores and plays defense, he rebounds and has impressed Davey by averaging 5 rebounds a game. Not bad for a 6-4 guard, Davey said. It used to be Johnson became so upset after losses no one could stand to be around him. Now, after a loss, he forgets about it sooner and readies himself for the next game. ``He bounces right back,'' Davey said. ``I'm excited for him and his growth process. He's a vital part, a candidate for all-league. He creates havoc for opponents.'' About 20 family members and friends are expected to watch Johnson play. He doesn't plan to disappoint dis·ap·point v. dis·ap·point·ed, dis·ap·point·ing, dis·ap·points v.tr. 1. To fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of. 2. . Not with a conference championship on his mind. ``The most special thing is we have a chance to win league again,'' he said. ``I feel like I'm going back and playing for something. It means more.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Notre Dame High alumnus ALUMNUS, civil law. A child which one has nursed; a foster child. Dig. 40, 2, 14. Craig Johnson averages nearly 12 points for Santa Clara. Daily News File Photo |
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