MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Juneau Pioneers have found lightning in a bottle.

What we know:

Juneau is off to one of its best starts in program history. The boys basketball team has run roughshod over their competition in the Milwaukee City Conference’s Gold Division. 

“This is all new history now for these boys that’s in this gym, so they’re creating their own path at this point and then they also brought a lot of good energy back,” said Torre Johnson, Milwaukee Juneau boys basketball coach.

The Pioneers are led by 6-foot-6 guard Dooney Johnson, a 4-star Gonzaga commit. Johnson is averaging close to 28 points and just over 8 rebounds per game this season.

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“This is our by far best season going against great competition and playing how we’ve been playing, so it’s really a great season,” said Dooney Johnson, Milwaukee Juneau junior guard.

Dooney and his teammates are coached by his father, Torre Johnson, who is a former Pioneer himself. Torre spent the last seven seasons as Juneau’s assistant coach before taking over the team last summer.

“To be able to come over to your alma mater, and then to not only coach your son, but also coach kids that you’ve been working with for quite a while now, so for me, it’s like a dream come true,” said Torre.

You can call this season a full circle moment for this father-son duo. 

“It’s pretty cool that he set records here or whatever, like did his thing, had a little show here, so to come back and do that, it feels good,” said Dooney.

Dooney is certainly making his own history at Juneau. He is now the Pionners’ all-time leading scorer. He’s also one of the top 30 recruits in the country for the Class of 2027. ESPN has him ranked at No. 28. 

Plenty of national attention came his way after a breakout sophomore season, along with his stellar play for Team Herro during Nike’s EYBL last summer. 

“To see how his work has paid off and to see himself put himself into a position to win off all his passion and hard work, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Torre.

From there, Division 1 teams from around the country came calling. Wisconsin and Marquette were two of them, but Gonzaga ultimately earned Dooney’s commitment. 

What they’re saying:

“It’s all about basketball,” said Dooney. “It’s the culture, the love of the game, the love of each other, it’s just really great out there.”

Torre has Division 1 experience himself. After all, he went on to play basketball for Oklahoma State and UW-Milwaukee, but Dooney required no assist from his father on his decision. 

“Not a lot of kids from this area get an offer from a Gonzaga, especially at an early timeframe in their career,” said Dooney. “For me as a father, it was a proud moment just to see your son group up and make a decision for himself.”

For Dooney, his basketball aspirations are high.

“My ultimate goal is to go to the NBA,” said Dooney.

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But in the near future, they both have some milestones they want to reach on the court together. That includes leading Juneau to its first state appearance in school history. 

Even better, they’re bringing back hope. 

“I wanted to bring some energy back to the Milwaukee City Conference,” said Torre. “I wanted to show the kids in Milwaukee that you can actually go to an MPS school and flourish and get up out of here and also too to try to rebuild the city that I once grew up in.”

Dooney is also a bit of a pioneer himself.

“Me growing up, looking up to Jalen Johnson and them and stuff like that, and now becoming one of them and kids are looking up to me means a lot,” said Dooney. “Kids be texting me all the time asking for inspiration and stuff. I be telling them what to do and stuff. It’s just a really great feeling.”

There is something special brewing at Juneau and this culture of winning is just beginning.

The west and northwest sides of Milwaukee have limited access to recreational trails, but Milwaukee County is exploring ways to change that.

As a result, the county is conducting a feasibility study and seeking community feedback on the possibility of building a bike and pedestrian trail that would connect Milwaukee’s northwest side neighborhoods to the local trail network, according to a press release from the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation.

The study will evaluate potential trail route options for a 7-mile corridor along the 30th Street railroad between the Hank Aaron State Trail and Havenwoods State Forest, which could connect several regional trail systems and create an 18-mile Milwaukee Loop that includes portions of the Hank Aaron State Trail, the Oak Leaf Trail, and the Beerline Trail. 

Those interested in the topic can attend a public information and discussion meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 at 3100 W. Center St., known as Community Within the Corridor complex. Additional meetings will be planned in April and throughout the summer.

The county also has an online survey open through March 6. An interactive map is publicly available where those interested can share the locations they would access most if a shared-use trail were available. 

The study is facilitated by the county’s Department of Transportation through a Transportation Alternatives Grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. It will be completed in mid-2027.

Future phases surrounding the trail’s design and construction will be dependent on the county’s ability to obtain funding.

Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13.

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee County jury has found 33-year-old Kwon Burdine guilty in a November 2024 Friendsgiving double shooting that left one man dead and another seriously injured.

What we know:

Prosecutors said Burdine killed 25-year-old Nasif Bowie during a gathering at a home near Congress and Houston. He was also convicted of trying to kill Bowie’s 23-year-old friend.

Loved ones of Bowie were emotional in court Friday as the guilty verdict was read.

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“I’m so thankful, it’s been a year and maybe three months now we’re just getting justice for my son,” said Ms. Bowie, Nasif’s mother. “Some families don’t get this. Some families are still looking for the killer.”

According to court records, witnesses said Burdine arrived at the November 2024 party drinking. At some point, he claimed money was missing and would not let anyone leave until it was found.

Investigators said the situation turned violent when Burdine began hitting Bowie’s friend and then pulled out a gun.

Prosecutors played a portion of a 911 call during the trial. Witnesses testified Burdine shot Bowie and the 23-year-old victim, left the home, then returned and fired again.

Bowie died from his injuries. His friend survived, but was seriously hurt.

Dig deeper:

Authorities said Burdine fled the scene and was later found in Green Bay days later, along with the gun.

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Family members said Bowie had dreams of going into real estate and living a long life.

“I can’t bring my son back; we’ll have a little more peace,” Ms. Bowie said. “But he’s going to get his justice, finally.”

Burdine is scheduled to be sentenced in May. Bowie’s family said they hope he receives the maximum sentence.