UCLA 2010 SF target: Terrence Jones (Portland, OR) Part 3

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Terrence Jones' mind on Jefferson's season, not college choice
Nick Daschel, special to The Oregonian, OregonLive.com
January 13, 2010 3:04 p.m.

Jefferson dreamed big last summer, with a couple of lofty goals it wanted to achieve during the upcoming boys basketball season.

First, high-profile recruit Terrence Jones had hoped to finish dancing with prospective colleges before the season and sign a letter of intent in November. Then once the season started, the Democrats were intent on making a run at becoming one of the country's best teams.

Neither came together as planned.

The 6-foot-8 Jones remains as hot as ever, No. 15 in the ESPNU 100 rankings for the class of 2010. But Jones opted not to sign early, instead putting his recruiting on pause to concentrate on the season.

Jefferson coach Pat Strickland said Jones' list of prospective colleges hasn't changed. It's down to five: Kentucky, Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon and UCLA. Jones has visited all but Oregon, where he has taken an unofficial visit. Strickland said when he and Jones talk these days, it's all about Democrats basketball, not what he's thinking about college.

"His general statement is that he's concentrating on the season, and he'll deal with college after the season," Strickland said.

Asked if he's certain that Jones won't decide until Jefferson's season concludes in March, Strickland said, "Not positive, no. Based on what he's saying, that's what he'll do, but you know how kids are."

As for the Democrats, Strickland put together an ambitious nonleague schedule to show they belong with the nation's elite high school teams. The result was three losses, though one was a forfeit to Oregon City when Jefferson couldn't get to the Les Schwab Invitational on Dec. 29 because of snow in the Portland area.

Strickland said the Democrats (9-3) have only themselves to blame.

"We're not playing defense. We're not playing any defense," Strickland said. "Second biggest problem is we're taking too many threes. We need to pound it inside. We're a big team, but I've got guys out there all trying to score."

It's not as if the season is a lost cause. Jefferson remains the state's top-ranked Class 5A team. The Democrats won their 30th consecutive Portland Interscholastic League game Tuesday night, beating Marshall 71-63.

"We can pick up the ball from here and start playing some good ball. We just haven't played to our potential," Strickland said. "We're going to work it out. I've seen glimpses."