The562’s coverage of football in 2023-24 is sponsored in part by the MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center Foundation and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Foundation
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
Long Beach Poly senior Quimari Shemwell committed to the University of Arizona earlier this week, as the standout defensive back has picked the Wildcats over UConn, Utah, Washington State, and others. Shemwell and the Jackrabbits are preparing to face Compton this week, but he admitted that Tuesday after he posted his commitment was a lot of fun.
“Everybody’s been tapping in, saying congratulations, it’s cool,” he said.
Shemwell transferred into Poly this year and said before the season started that he was confident in his game and sure that he’d be able to prove himself on a bigger stage. He arrived at Poly with no scholarship offers but will leave with a Division 1 scholarship. He proved his talent right away, with a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns against Konawaena in Poly’s first game.
“I’ve been putting the work in for years and I knew I was good,” he said. “This year it was just about showing it on a big stage and letting everybody see it.”
Arizona is packed with coaches from Southern California, which has made them a popular target recently for Long Beach athletes. Already on the roster are Poly alum Wendell “Wowo” Moe, who was just named a midseason Freshman All-American, as well as Poly alum Dominic Lolesio, and Millikan alum Tacario Davis. Jordan senior Jordan Washington, a standout running back, is also committed to the Wildcats.
Jordan alum Johnny Nansen is the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator; Shemwell said that the local ties were a big part of his decision-making process.
“They’ve got guys from here, and that created a connection,” he said. “I like the way they coach, they’re real mentors for kids.”
He also said that the official visit to Arizona helped seal the deal, and that he’s looking forward to taking his game to an even bigger stage.
“Everything’s super nice, I loved it, it felt like I was living my dream,” he said. “I felt like al little boy again, just dreaming–and now it’s coming true.”
