Feb 10, 2015 By Eleanor Bailey 8 min read

As they pulled out of the driveway bound for their game against Chartiers Valley last week, Mt. Lebanon boys’ basketball coach Joe David turned to his son and told him that good things happen to seniors on senior night. “Enjoy the night,” he added.

Boy did Jonny David ever. The senior point guard exploded for 19 points. He eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone for his scholastic career. Plus, he buried the game-winning basket from 3-point land at the buzzer to end a triple overtime thriller in Lebo’s favor, 58-55.

“Definitely,” Jonny said. “This was the best win I have been a part of in my four years. It was great.”

Of taking and making the winning shot Jonny added, “I was open. I got the right rotation on the ball. I knew it was going into the hoop. I felt it was perfect when I took the shot.”

Perfect has been Jonny’s path to becoming one of the premier players in the WPIAL. He ranks among the scoring leaders in the district, averaging 19.4 points per game. He also dishes up five assists, pulls down four rebounds and accrues two steals per contest.

Though he grew up in Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon’s fiercest rival, Jonny always attended his father’s practices and games, sitting at the end of the bench with the statisticians and managers. “Since age 3,” noted his dad, “I’ve taken Jonny to the gym. He’s always worn Blue Devils shirts and cheered for Lebo.” During the summer before Jonny entered eighth grade, the family moved from the community where the elder David excelled and to Mt. Lebanon.

“At that age,” explained Joe, “you meet new friends and you move right along. The move was well supported by the family and they wanted to play for me. We met some wonderful people here. They were warm and welcoming. It’s been a blessing. A great group of kids and friends,” he added.

Nevertheless, young Jonny experienced some reluctance at first. “I was really excited to play for my dad and with my brother (Justin). I looked forward to it, but I didn’t know too many people. It’s rough being the new kid but I knew guys like (Matt) Hoffman and (Patrick) Ehland and others on the basketball team, so it made it an easier transition.”

By becoming excellent at his craft, Jonny transitioned easily into the starting line-up at Lebo. By his sophomore season, he was starting side-by-side with Justin, who currently is sitting out the season at the University of Southern Florida because of the transfer rules, and Tyler Roth, who attends Princeton. These past two years, Jonny has served as captain of the team.

“He’s a natural leader. That’s his strength,” said his father. “He has a high basketball IQ. He’s gifted, fast and quick.”

But, Jonny honed his skills in much the same fashion his father did. He practiced in the driveway for at least two and a half hours a day, following a routine that included making 500 shots. In addition to lifting weights at home and at Mt. Lebanon, Jonny trained at Evolution Sports Institute in Bridgeville.

“Jonny got better by doing what I did and what a lot of players from my generation did,” said Joe David, who played college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh. “He practiced when no one was watching. He and Justin worked out all day. Justin gets Jonny going. He’s fortunate to have him to look up to.”

Jonny agreed. “There were definitely days when it was tough, but Justin definitely pushed me. It helps especially when you are able to (work out) with someone else. It’s worth it too when you see results, especially this year and with this team. We go hard and it’s paid off.”

With a follow-up victory against arch rival Upper St. Clair, 33-31, the Blue Devils finished Section 4-AAAA play tied for first place with Char Valley. Both finished 11-2 and enter the WPIAL playoffs ranked among the top four seeds. In the win against the Panthers, David led all scorers with 10 tallies.

Both father and son embrace returning to their roots. Regarding last Friday’s fray at USC, Joe said, “it’s always a great night. The place is always rocking. There’s a lot of energy and intensity.”

Jonny added that he blocks out the chanting and taunts regarding being “daddy’s boy” and says he “loves playing against USC.” “It’s a great atmosphere and always a good game. But, I love playing for my father. It’s been great. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. I cherish each moment. There is no down side to it.”

Joe agreed. He said that former Lebo head coach Dick Black told him years ago how much fun the years were when he coached his sons. “Coach Black was right. I’m enjoying this. I may have been harder on him, but I think I’ve had to be or else people would be in my face if I’ve allowed him to do things and not others. We had that conversation where I’ve told him, ‘you know I have to be harder on you’ and he understands. Coaching him has been fun. A blast. A great experience.”

While he rates scoring his 1,000th career point as a tremendous experience, Jonny looks forward to more memorable milestones in the upcoming weeks. “The goal is to win the WPIAL championship,” he said. “We have our eyes on that goal.”

The district finals will be played Feb. 27-28 at the Petersen Events Center. The last time the WPIAL championships were held on the University of Pittsburgh campus, Lebo won the Quad-A title in 2006. That fact is not lost on Jonny. “I’d love to play there,” he said.

As long as he continues to play his role, the Blue Devils should enjoy success. Jonny says he sees himself contributing by being a good leader, playing up the defense, keeping his teammates motivated and, of course, scoring. “I just have to play my game regardless of the opponent,” he said.

Once his playing days at Mt. Lebanon have ended, Jonny plans to do the same in college. He has been accepted into the science program at the University of Kentucky. Plus, he will be a preferred walk-on on the basketball team. John Calipari coaches the Wildcats. He was an assistant coach at Pitt when Jonny’s dad played for the Panthers.

“Ever since I was young,” said Jonny, who also entertained plenty of Division III offers before picking Kentucky, “I saw myself attending a big school and playing basketball. Testing myself,” he added. “I didn’t want to settle. If I push myself hard, I can become a better basketball player. My goal is to be the guy who comes in and shoots and knocks down a couple of threes when the team needs it and be a contributor.”

Joe David is eager to see his son achieve his objectives. “I’m anxious to see how he does. I think he’s good enough. He works hard and I believe people who do that get what’s coming to them. Kentucky made no promises. But, I think you reap what you sow. When he gets the opportunity to compete against the best in the country, he’s going to get better.

“He can shoot,” Coach David continued. “He’s a shooter and those aren’t a dime a dozen. There’s value to having a shooter on a team. But, he’s got to bet getter. Jonny needs to work on everything, shooting, defense, ball handling. Initially, he’ll be shell-shocked, but I think he’ll adjust.”

While he’s faced that situation before, Jonny will not have to adjust academically as he is a standout student at Mt. Lebanon. He maintains a 4.2 GPA. He plans to pursue a career in physical therapy, which is fast becoming a family business.

His father owns and operates David Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center located on Castle Shannon Boulevard in Mt. Lebanon. His oldest brother, Jeremy, is enrolled in the program at Pitt. Justin is studying physical therapy at USF. And, this past summer, Jonny worked at his father’s practice.

“Physical therapy has always interested me,” Jonny said. “When we watch football games or other sporting events on TV at home and when a player gets injured my dad will tell us exactly what happened,” said the 18-year-old son of Sandi David. “It’s interesting. After working in the summer, I can see myself doing that. Down the road, I’d love to work with my dad. I think it’s something all the brothers would love to do. So I’m pushing myself hard to do that and to become a better basketball player.”