Boys' basketball notebook: Last Bohannon brother doing it all for Linn-Mar

MARION - For a sophomore, there's a lot placed on his shoulders. But he's a Bohannon, which means he's handling it just fine.

Jordan Bohannon is handling it more than just fine. He's Linn-Mar's leading scorer, leading assist guy and second-leading rebounder.

The last of Gordy and Brenda Bohannon's four basketball-playing sons is well on target to become their fourth Division I college basketball son. That's amazing.

It began with Jason, of course, at the University of Wisconsin. That's where Zach still plays as a senior walk-on forward.

Matt Bohannon is a sophomore guard at Northern Iowa.

"Jordan is a nice mix of his brothers," said Linn-Mar Coach Chris Robertson. "He shoots it a lot like Jason, he's got Matt's competitiveness, he's got Zach's intelligence. Having coached them all, it's really fun for me to coach him and see all that."

Bohannon started as a freshman point guard last season for the Lions, with most of his offense perimeter oriented. Roughly two-thirds of his shots came from 3-point land.

But he made developing a more well-rounded game a priority last summer. The 6-footer has been able to get to the lane and draw fouls, as well as get off short jumpers via a lightning release.

His scoring average has jumped 10 points from last season, to a team-best 17.9. Linn-Mar (8-6) hosts Cedar Rapids Washington Friday night.

"I really worked on my strength, getting to the basket," Bohannon said. "I know last year I settled for a lot of 3s. This last summer, I tried to get my shot off quicker, pull-up jumpers, working off the ball, helping my teammates, penetrating and kicking it. Do whatever I can to help us win games."

"He got a taste of it last season and saw what it takes," Robertson said. "No one puts more time in than he does. He's grown leaps and bounds from last season, and I think you'll see that again next season."

UNI has offered him a scholarship already, and Robertson said Iowa, Wisconsin and Xavier are among those interested. If he grows a couple more inches, the list of college suitors will be substantial.

There should be a lot of interest in a kid who can shoot it and handle it, both the basketball itself and being the focal point for his team as a 10th grader.

"I try not to think about it too much," Bohannon said. "The coaches help me a lot. They tell me to keep my head up whenever I'm in doubt, always to believe in myself."

"His family has been through it. His brothers and parents can talk him through that," Robertson said. "He puts a lot of pressure on himself, wants to be as good or better than his brothers. I don't think he gets a whole lot of sympathy (from them) when he doesn't play well. It's just get back in the gym and get after it."

REVEALING THE BRACKETS -- The Iowa High School Athletic Association will release official postseason brackets for Class 1A and 2A on Wednesday, according to IHSAA Information Director Bud Legg. Postseason brackets for 3A and 4A will come out the following week.The IHSAA released district and substate pods recently. The Association said it will seed each team in each bracket according to results in games five through 15.

New this season is that higher-seeded teams are not guaranteed home games. The IHSAA will employ double-headers in Class 1A, 2A and 3A throughout the postseason, with games scheduled for 6:30 and 8 p.m. Single games will remain in 4A.

The Association has set up criteria for hosting postseason games, including minimum seating requirements of 800 for Class 1A, 1,000 for 2A, 1,200 for 3A and 1,400 for 4A. Initial district games in 1A will begin Feb. 17.