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SoCalHoops High School Report

Jason Day: A Transfer Rumor. . .Er, Um, Maybe--(Sept. 25, 1998)

We just heard from our friend and correspondent Jason Day, who also writes for UltraStudentAthletes.org, and he writes that there are some rumors about a big time player transferring yet again. Here it is:

Rumor Mill has Tommy Johnson returning to Fairfax

By Jason Day

Sources over at Fairfax High report that 6'4 JR SG, Tommy Johnson was on campus today and told some folks that he plans to transfer back to Fairfax from Crenshaw. We cannot confirm this "rumor" yet, but we're working on it. If it's true, it's another indication that the City Section picture may not be settled just yet.

Johnson, who sat out much of last season because of an injury was one of several high profile players on the transfer merry-go-round in the summer. Teammates Joe Shipp and Jason Morrissette were both widely rumored to be transferring to Westchester, but both returned to Fairfax. If Johnson does indeed transfer back to Fairfax it's anyone's guess as to whether his two teammates staying had anything to do with the decision. His current, and now maybe soon to be former, teammate, Armand Thomas, dropped in on Fairfax, Dominguez, and who knows where else this summer, before returning to the Shaw. L.A. High star, Leroy Dawson split for Compton. And there were more. So the City picture is still unfolding.

Shipp was also injured for most of last season, ironically with almost the identical broken bone in a foot, and Fairfax was still a very competitive team. With a healthy Johnson and Shipp along with the often outstanding Morrissette and returning SR PG, Stan Thorne, Fairfax would field one of the better teams in Southern Cali. Stay tuned.

Later,

Jason Day

An interesting rumor. But whether it's true or will come to pass, only time wil tell. And the bigger question is what will the City Section and Commissioner Barbara Fiege do about it if Tommy Johnson does indeed transfer back to Fairfax. The City Section CIF announced earlier this summer that a player would "henceforth" be able to transfer only once during his high school career for non-residence related (i.e., moving one's physical domicile) reasons. The CIF City Section did state that there could be "hardship" exceptions, but whether the new rule is now in place is not known. If it is, and presuming the reason for the transfer is related to something other than Johnson moving out of the Crenshaw district and back into the Fairfax district, it could affect his eligibility. Again, only time will tell (a) how reliable this rumor is, and (b) if it is, how it will affect Johnson's eligibility.