IN A GROOVE: Williams leads high-scoring Athens offense

Published 6:30 am Friday, January 13, 2017

If John Williams hits a 3-pointer, opposing teams better take notice.

By the time he makes his next one, it’s already too late, as many recent Athens opponents have found out.

The senior guard leads Athens with 18.1 points per game so far this year and is one of the best pure shooters in the area.

In December, Williams scored 41 points in a win over Hartselle and followed that up with 31 points in a win over Russellville a few weeks later. He led the team Tuesday with 16 points in a crucial area win over Hazel Green.

And that’s with the opposing team’s best defender in his face.

“Sometimes, I get in a rhythm and I can just feel it,” said Williams. “Teams no-catch me and focus on me all the time, but I still have to find a shot. We just run our offense and I get my best looks in transition.”

The unique thing about Williams’ scoring is how and when he gets his points. He might go two and and a half quarters without scoring, but finish as the team’s leading scorer. As a junior, he once hit six 3-pointers in a single quarter.

In other words, if Williams gets hot — look out.

“I’ve worked on that since I was little,” said Williams. “My dad taught me how to shoot when I was 7 or 8 years old and it’s the same shot I have now.”

Athens has one of the highest scoring offenses in North Alabama, scoring at least 54 points in every game and averaging 68.5 points per game. Williams has been a big reason why, especially since point guard Cam Turner went down with an injury.

Turner was averaging more than 20 points per game. He could return as early as tonight against Florence. Both will be needed against a team that is favored to win the area and knows all about Williams’ shooting ability.

“Florence will put a guy on me and he’ll basically put his head on my chest the whole time,” said Williams. “That’s just how they guard me. Usually, I’ll post him up or try to come off a screen. I create more now than I used to. Now, I can create my own shot when I get the ball.”

“Little” brother

John isn’t the only Williams on the team. His little brother, Tyler, is a sophomore center and is the only true post player on the team. At 6 foot, 4 inches, John’s “little” brother is a good four inches taller than him.

“He probably caught up with me by the time I was in eighth grade, but I wouldn’t admit it until I was in 10th,” joked Williams. “It’s fun to play together. He’s worked on his shot a lot and it’s only going to get better.”

The younger Williams will especially be needed against Florence, which has by far the biggest roster in the area. A win would improve Athens to 2-2 in area play and keep them in contention to host the area tournament next month.

“Both area games we lost were overtime games that I think we should have won,” said Williams. “So we are right there in it. It’s anybody’s game when we get to the area tournament.”

Tipoff in Florence begins with the varsity girls game at 6 p.m.