Jonathan Snow took the disappointment of last year's playoff loss and turned it into fuel, and his improvement has Columbine off to a hot start this season.
Photo by Mark Dalby
It was less than 24 hours after
Columbine's season had ended in the sort of wrenching, heartbreaking fashion induced only by a bitter playoff defeat when Rebels boys basketball coach Clay Thielking encountered a stunning sight.
Ducking into the gym, Thielking discovered then-junior
Jonathan Snow pumping iron as if it were the middle of the summer, and not just hours after the Rebels' season ended against eventual Class 5A champion Chaparral in the state quarterfinals.
Although it had been a breakout season for Snow — he averaged 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds last year — the final memory of his junior campaign left a scar. Snow managed to make just 3 of 12 field goal attempts while recording only six points and six rebounds against Chaparral. Every new stress-venting repetition in the weight room came with a vow that Snow's senior season would be different.
Snow is averaging over 25 points and 11
rebounds this season.
Photo by Mark Dalby
So far, Snow has more than made good on that vow. The 6-foot-6 senior is averaging a double-double for the 8-2 Rebels, who look to continue their hot start at Pomona Friday night.
"I've been very focused," Snow said. "That was a tough loss to Chaparral. They had a great team, but we all felt we could have won that game. It definitely left a bad taste. We've been working hard ever since — lifting and running and working in the gym to be as successful as possible this year."
While Snow's numbers were solid a year ago, he has made a rapid ascension to join the ranks of the most productive players in the state.
Through 10 games, Snow is averaging 25.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Both marks rank second in Class 5A and are just percentage points behind scoring leader
Josh Perkins of
Regis Jesuit (Aurora) (25.3) and rebounding leader
Lake Reed of
Poudre (Fort Collins) (11.8).
Snow has done his damage efficiently, shooting 51% from the floor (84 for 164) and 79% at the free throw line (71 for 90), while also contributing a 12 for 25 mark from 3-point range. Snow has recorded eight double-doubles in 10 games and produced his top two scoring efforts against two of Columbine's toughest opponents, scoring 37 points in a season-opening win against Regis Jesuit and posting 32 points to lead a win against Valor Christian.
Snow has received interest from Division III
programs.
Photo by Mark Dalby
"I think the biggest difference for him this year is that he's not settling for tough shots," Thielking said. "Instead of settling for a 10-foot fade away, he's getting inside for a six-foot hook shot. He's able to guard at the five-spot, but he's also a great shooter. He has the freedom to step out and shoot it. It makes him a tough cover."
Although Snow is lighting up box scores, his hot start has failed to generate an electric buzz on the recruiting circuit. Not that Snow is complaining. The senior says he has received no Division I offers but has been courted by such Division III programs as the University of Chicago and Hamilton College in New York.
That might change if Snow continues to tear through the Class 5A Jeffco League. But even if it doesn't, Snow professes he'll be more than happy to continue his career and, more importantly, his education at those sorts of prestigious academic institutions.
"I think I'll wait until after the season to make any decision," Snow said. "Right now, I'm happy with the options I have. I visited Chicago and loved it. All are great schools and that's what I'm looking for, but if something comes up then I guess I'll have to make a decision."
