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Davidson-Davie Community College basketball players Javeon Jones (left) and LJ Rogers signed to play at four-year colleges on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Davidson-Davie Community College basketball players Javeon Jones (left) and LJ Rogers signed to play at four-year colleges on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. They are joined by assistant coach Josh Allen (back row, left) and head coach Matt Ridge.
Davidson-Davie Community College basketball players Javeon Jones (left) and LJ Rogers are joined by teammates as they sign to play at four-year colleges on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
THOMASVILLE — In their three years on the Davidson-Davie Community College men's basketball team, Javeon Jones and LJ Rogers have won 93% of their games, posting an 87-7 record, going undefeated at home with two straight trips to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship final.
And they're not finished yet.
Jones and Rogers signed letters of intent to join the rosters of four-year colleges in a ceremony at DDCC on Wednesday.
Jones will be playing at Catawba and Rogers will join Lees-McRae.
"Some guys come in here and they say they love it, but they don't put the time in outside of practice. But these guys did and, consequently, they were two of the best players not just in our region but in the country," Storm coach Matt Ridge said of Jones and Rogers, team captains for his 2022 squad.
"They're winners. I'm excited to see what they're going to do."
Davidson-Davie Community College basketball players Javeon Jones (left) and LJ Rogers signed to play at four-year colleges on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Jones chose Catawba from 11 scholarship offers after winning the Jack Cistriano Small Man of the Year Award for the second season in a row and making the NJCAA all-tournament team along with Rogers.
A 2018 graduate of Rocky Mount High School who averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 42% from the field last season, Jones said DDCC "probably prepared me better than any other JUCO" for a spot on a four-year college basketball team.
"Coming out of high school, I didn't have many opportunities. I basically knew coming here that I'd get something good out of it, not just for basketball but as a man," he said.
Catawba's high graduation rate and the number of players it sends to pro leagues overseas appealed to Jones, who is seeking a degree in sports communication. He's also familiar with Indians assistant coach Jermon Marsh, who was on the DDCC staff before going to Catawba.
Davidson-Davie Community College basketball players Javeon Jones (left) and LJ Rogers signed to play at four-year colleges on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. They are joined by assistant coach Josh Allen (back row, left) and head coach Matt Ridge.
The Dispatch
Abby Seagle/DDCC
Rogers ranked fourth nationally with 92 steals last season, averaging 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 38% from the field. He was No. 1 in the country with 36 games started for the Storm, which went 33-3 overall, 21-1 in conference play while winning its 13th conference title in 15 years of existence.
"Some people look at JUCO like it's a knock or a lower level or something like that, but not here," Rogers said. "He's preparing us to play like we would at a DI school or at a professional level," he added with a nod toward Ridge.
Lees-McRae coach Steve Hardin, Rogers said, "is like a reflection of Coach Ridge. They go hand in hand."
The Eastern Alamance alum from Mebane will major in sports management and he's looking forward to battling DDCC teammate Uzziah Dawkins, who is likely to sign with Lees-McRae's Conference Carolinas rival Converse.
"They're a winning program," Rogers said of the Bobcats.
Davidson-Davie Community College basketball players Javeon Jones (left) and LJ Rogers are joined by teammates as they sign to play at four-year colleges on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
The Dispatch
Abby Seagle/DDCC
With the success of DDCC, winning is something he's accustomed to. And Ridge's regimen of running, drilling, working out, and watching the film has Rogers and Jones ready for the next level.
"You don't just show up and become a great shooter. You have to work at your craft," Ridge said. "These two guys truly love the game of basketball. Their relentless commitment to excellence, day in and day out — it's what made them who they are."
