McComb Tigers’ guard Antonio Johnson committed this week to continue his basketball career at Mississippi College beginning next year, according to McComb girls’ basketball coach and Johnson’s sister, Angelia Johnson. McComb basketball coach Hilton Harrell also confirmed Johnson’s commitment.
The McComb senior will sign an official letter of intent in the high school’s auditorium on April 16, the first day high school basketball recruits are eligible to sign with schools.
As a senior, Johnson averaged 13 points per game as a part of the state champion Tigers. His five first quarter 3-pointers in the state title game helped the Tigers win it all and earned Johnson Player of the Game honors.
Johnson played in at least 19 games in each of his final three high school seasons, and averaged double figures in each of those seasons. While his scoring averaged dropped each year — from 17 to 14 to eventually 13 points per game — his rebounds, assists and steals per game averages all increased each year.
In addition to being a sharp-shooter from the outside, Johnson’s defense also improved tremendously during his senior season. The senior entered the season with 55 career steals but blew that number out of the water with 84 steals this season alone.
“I’m excited for this opportunity for him,” Harrell said. “It will be hard to replace his leadership and approach to the game.”
Johnson will join a Mississippi College program coming off an 11-14 campaign. The Choctaws finished 9-13 in the NCAA Division II’s Gulf South Conference.
Mississippi College head basketball coach Don Lofton has coached the Choctaws for 10 years at the Division II and Division III levels, compiling an overall record of 179-91 in 270 games.
“I think it is a perfect fit for him,” Harrell said of Johnson’s commitment to MC. “Not only basketball, but Mississippi College is a strong academic and Christian institution.”
