Chris Johnson left the Cy Fair program in Houston in 2011 focused on a career as a college basketball coach. Now Johnson is back at Cy Fair, and his goal is much different.
“Our goal with Cy Fair is to use basketball to help girls get a better education through scholarships, and at the same time we want to teach them important life lessons,” Johnson said. “We want to mentor these young ladies to help them become the best they can be on and off the court, and basketball is the tool we use.”
Johnson’s return has involved his efforts to re-tool the Cy Fair roster, but he has gotten off to a fast start in that area.
“When we first started the program, we were fortunate enough to have some good players come in,” Johnson remembered. “Word spread about the way that we were training our players, and people saw that they were growing and improving. That allowed us to quickly develop into one of the top programs in Texas. Now word is spreading again, and we are adding more and more players.”
Those players will be tested this spring at the 2015 Deep South Classic, which will be played in Raleigh, NC on April 24-26. The Deep South Classic, which annually features the nation’s top travel programs, will once again have the entire tournament in one facility — the tremendous Raleigh Convention Center.
The Cy Fair foundation this spring will be created by Alexis Johnson (2017, 6-0, WF), Queen Egbo (2018, 6-2, F), Marissa Banfield (2017, 5-6, G), Cydney Rivera (2018, 5-8, G) and Emer Nichols (2017, 6-5, C). Rivera is currently rated as the No. 92 recruit in the Class of 2018 by the All Star Girls Report.
“Alexis already has two offers from Big 12 programs, and I think she is headed for a breakout summer,” the coach explained. “She already has a college-ready body, and she has been working hard on her perimeter game so that she can transition away from the post. Queen is from Africa, and she is new to basketball, but she is an amazing athlete. I really think she will develop into one of the top players in the country. She can be one of those four players that everyone needs.
“Marissa is a true facilitator who runs the show, handles the ball, and shoots the three. She can score, but she doesn’t worry about her points, she worries about the team. Cydney is super athletic. She elevates on her jump shot like a guy, and she has an excellent handle. Emer is a true center. She is left handed, she rebounds, blocks shots, and knocks down jumpers from the foul line extended.”
Bret McCormick, the analyst for ASGR, also contributed his comments on the top Cy Fair prospects.
“Johnson is a strong athlete who can really run the floor,” McCormick said. “Egbo is someone to watch. She is a tremendous athlete, and she can score inside. Banfield is a high IQ player with quickness and skills. Rivera is another skilled player, and she knows the game. Nichols is a long lefty who rebounds well, and her skills are coming.”