Avengers Basketball Coaching

John grew up in the U.S. and played high school basketball for the Mohigans at Morgantown high school in West Virginia, home of the WVU Mountaineers. Immediately after John finished high school the family moved back to Canada. Having graduated from high school and not interested in returning for grade 13, John enrolled at the University of Ottawa and played for the Gee-Gee’s. Being in pre-U he (wore?) red shirted for the team for the 1969-70 season.

The following year with George Potvin at the helm, John started as the point guard on a team that surprised a number of nationally ranked opponents during the year. Coach Bob O’Billivich (Athlete of the decade in Montana for the 60’s) and former Rough Rider took over as coach in John’s last two seasons. At the time, with Merv Sabey at center (all Canadian 74-75) the team co-captainedd by John and Merv went to nationals both years (73-74 and 74-75). With O’Billivich’s aggressive full court defensive and fast breaking style, the team was the top in Canada in defense, holding opponents to a low 60’s average.

John averaged 16.7 points per game in his final year ( prior to the 3 points shot being instituted) and averaged 87% from the foul line. John is a member of the Gee-Gees 1,000 point club, having scored over a thousand points during his career.

John is entering his tenth year as a coach, having begun in 2000 in the Hull basketball association.

From 2002 to 2007 John was an assistant with the Ottawa Celtis organization.

John began with the nest level program three years ago, coaching with Dave Deaveiro on the U17 team, and then with Emile O’Neil on the U19 team in 2009-2010. John was co-head coach of the U17 next level team last year. John also coached the girls De L’ILE high school senior team last year and took them to the provincial playoffs where they finished 6th in the Province of Quebec.