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Dunbar's Johnson now considering Memphis

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 6:01 PM Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Once thought to be Kansas-bound, Geron Johnson (Dunbar) visited Memphis this week and came away impressed with head coach Josh Pastner.

“He’s a great coach,” Johnson told The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal. “Skilled. Cares for his players. Doesn’t curse. Straightforward. That’s (what) I need.”

Johnson, a 6-foot-3 guard who some say has NBA ability, ran afoul of the law in high school, then was thrown out of his first junior college, Chipola (Fla.), after a marijuana arrest and subsequent jail stint.

Still, the race is on to sign him.

Currently averaging about 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists as a sophomore at Garden City (Kan.) Community College, Johnson checked out Kansas in December and could take up to three more official visits before deciding where to spend the next phase of his basketball career.

Marshall reportedly has slid into the picture as well. Dayton had been interested, too, GCCC coach Kris Baumann has said.

“Different schools have been calling,” Johnson told the Memphis paper. “So I’m trying to talk to my coach and see if it’s the time ... to be committed. I don’t have a clue if I’m going to take these three (other) visits.

“But those two schools (Kansas and Memphis) ... that’s the best of the best.”

Taylor dominating

It’s been a busy and productive back-to-back Sundays for Penn State’s David Taylor (Graham), one of the top wrestlers in the country.

First Taylor was part of an emotional scene — and an amazing comeback — against Iowa on the day legendary football coach Joe Paterno died. Then, this past Sunday, Taylor helped the Nittany Lions whip Ohio State.

Against Iowa, Taylor (20-0) won his match as PSU rebounded from a 12-0 deficit and beat the Hawkeyes in a dual meet for the first time since 2007.

It was the first sporting event on campus since Paterno’s death that morning. There was a moment of silence before the match followed by a 30-second standing ovation.

Taylor is ranked No. 1 in the nation at 165 pounds.

Campus tour

• Lake Superior State (Bay City, Mich.) sophomore guard Derek Billing (Anna) was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division Player of the Week after averaging 22.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game during last week’s home basketball victories over Ohio Dominican and Tiffin.

• Soccer player Alexander Hadley (Carroll) has transferred from Cincinnati to Indiana. The central defender played every minute of every game this past season for UC and scored the winning goal against Rutgers.

If you have information about an area athlete in college, send an email to smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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