Justin Johnson headed to All-Star game, maybe Clemson

CHERRYVILLE - The Gazette's two-time boys basketball player of the year, Justin Johnson, has been added to next week's East-West All-Star Classic roster.

Johnson, a three-time All-Gazette pick for Cherryville High, has been named as a replacement for East Mecklenburg's Titus Robinson. Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward, finished his four-year career for the Ironmen with a Gaston County-record 2,388 points.

"It's a big milestone and a great opportunity," said Johnson, who earlier this year signed a college scholarship with Chipola, Fla., Junior College. "It's a privilege to be able to finish my high school career like this."

Johnson will join a West roster that already has two other Gaston County products in Cherryville teammate Cameron Lovelace and Hunter Huss' Jamere Pagan and will be coached by Ashbrook High's Marty Hatchell.

Robinson was unable to fulfill his obligations to the team, which will play the game Monday night at 8 at the Greensboro Coliseum, since he's already attending summer school at Buffalo University on basketball scholarship.

Johnson last season was the state's top scorer with 901 points, averaging 24.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. He averaged 28 points and 12.2 rebounds the previous year when Cherryville finished as Western N.C. 1A runner-up.

Johnson reports to Chipola in August and has already tenatively agreed to a scholarship offer from Clemson, whose offer is contingent upon Johnson finishing his two-year degree there.

"I've been working and am looking forward to going to Chipola and then to Clemson," said Johnson, who also is Cherryville's all-time leading career rebounder with 1,142.