JOHNSTOWN —
Name: Roshon Fields
School: Greater Johnstown
Year: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Fields’ week: Fields had the best game of his varsity career last Monday as he finished with 19 points and 22 rebounds in the Trojans’ 66-51 victory over Cambria Heights.
He followed that performance with 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 51-40 win over Bishop Guilfoyle last Thursday.
The points are nice, but Fields is more concerned with the re-bounds and being a disruptive presence on defense for Greater Johnstown.
“Every game, I set a goal for myself. I want to see if I can get 20 rebounds every game,” Fields said. “If our guards are playing well, they’ll get a lot of shots, so I try to get offensive rebounds. That’s something I like to try to do.”
Extra effort: Rebounding requires dedication and a knack for knowing where the basketball will be on a missed shot.
Fields, a 6-foot-6-inch forward, proved his dedication not long after the 2011-12 season ended. A week after last season ended, Fields hit the weight room every day. He played games at the YMCA and attended several basketball camps and showcases.
His confidence blossomed at the Keystone Camp, which was held at Edinboro University.
“My first couple games, I didn’t play that well. I was averaging about four points and six rebounds a game,” Fields said. “I started averaging 17 points and 15 rebounds against better competition, and that helped me a lot.”
Fields’ play has been a key component for the Trojans, who are 4-2 after a four-game win streak.
“He’s been doing a tremendous job. He’s literally dominated the boards for us,” Greater Johnstown coach Neil Cobaugh said. “He’s been aggressive going after rebounds and loose balls. It’s been very beneficial.”
A nice find: Fields is neighbors with Trojans baseball coach Dee Dee Osborne, which led to the former football player giving basketball a try.
“In eighth grade, I was 5-10. By ninth grade, I was 6-3. I hit a major growth spurt,” Fields said. “I didn’t think I would be good enough to play basketball.”
Cobaugh told Fields he could evolve into a major contributor by his senior season.
“He started part time for us last year but he’s only been playing basketball for three year,” Cobaugh said. “Coach Osborne told me to come and take a look at this kid. Here was this big, tall kid who wants to play basketball. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Sports
Athlete of the Week: Roshon Fields
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