HIGH-SCHOOL
Fayetteville Academy basketball's Xavier Johnson made a mistake, but moving to a private school wasn’t it
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
Xavier Johnson made a mistake on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Johnson, a junior guard for the Fayetteville Academy boys basketball team, forgot something ahead of the Eagles’ game against Westover at the third annual MLK Dream Jam showcase.
“After our shootaround, I was kind of lollygagging around – we’re supposed to grab our jerseys off the table – and I ended up leaving my jersey,” Johnson said with a laugh after Fayetteville Academy’s 61-51 win against the Wolverines.
“I didn’t realize it until we started getting ready. … It made me kind of nervous, because I knew Coach (Steve Mims Jr.) was gonna be mad at me. It made me play harder.”
The 6-foot-4 point guard forgot his gear, but he brought his game to Terry Sanford High School with 16 points to lead the Eagles (14-6). Johnson capped the game with a two-handed dunk to put an exclamation point on his performance.
It has been quite a turnaround for Johnson, who started his career at Cape Fear High School before deciding to make the move to a private school.
After averaging 8.1 points for the Colts last season, Johnson is averaging 21.9 points this season as the top scorer in the NCISAA Coastal Rivers Conference.
“I’m just so happy he’s finally getting his due, because he played at public school and he just really didn’t get off like he should’ve,” Fayetteville Academy coach Steve Mims Jr. said.
In his first 11 games with the Eagles, Johnson scored 20 or more points eight times, including a career-high 33 points in an 82-66 win against Terry Sanford in November.
“It’s a different environment,” Johnson said. “Public school is way more intense, but private school – I like it – and I’m playing point now, so I’ve got the ball in my hands a lot more. I like the transition.”
In addition to his increased scoring, Johnson is averaging 3.7 rebounds. 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals and just 1.3 turnovers per game.
“It’s definitely more comfortable,” he said. “I got more freedom at private school. At public school, you’re kind of in a set system and you can’t really do all what you want. In private school, I get to call a lot of what I want to do.”
When asked what sets Johnson apart from other players, Mims pointed to the guard’s “leadership, toughness and IQ.”
“He competes, controls all of the pressure and he’s a big-time scorer,” Mims said. “We need him in every aspect.”
Mims doesn’t have a senior on his 13-player roster, so Johnson’s poise has been vital to the team’s success.
“When he comes in, we need his sense of security,” Mims said. “He’s like a security blanket to me. It’s hard for me to take him out of the game, so any experience with him is a great experience.”
That’s why, even if Johnson needs a reminder about grabbing his jersey and shorts on game day, Mims will let it slide as long as his best player brings his best on the court.
“Not being perfect, but still being able to adjust, he’s been very patient with my (young) team,” Mims said.
“. … I think he’s a natural. I’m excited to watch him grow as a point guard – as one of the top point guards in this city.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
Fayetteville Academy basketball's Xavier Johnson made a mistake, but moving to a private school wasn’t it
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
Xavier Johnson made a mistake on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Johnson, a junior guard for the Fayetteville Academy boys basketball team, forgot something ahead of the Eagles’ game against Westover at the third annual MLK Dream Jam showcase.
“After our shootaround, I was kind of lollygagging around – we’re supposed to grab our jerseys off the table – and I ended up leaving my jersey,” Johnson said with a laugh after Fayetteville Academy’s 61-51 win against the Wolverines.
“I didn’t realize it until we started getting ready. … It made me kind of nervous, because I knew Coach (Steve Mims Jr.) was gonna be mad at me. It made me play harder.”
The 6-foot-4 point guard forgot his gear, but he brought his game to Terry Sanford High School with 16 points to lead the Eagles (14-6). Johnson capped the game with a two-handed dunk to put an exclamation point on his performance.
It has been quite a turnaround for Johnson, who started his career at Cape Fear High School before deciding to make the move to a private school.
After averaging 8.1 points for the Colts last season, Johnson is averaging 21.9 points this season as the top scorer in the NCISAA Coastal Rivers Conference.
“I’m just so happy he’s finally getting his due, because he played at public school and he just really didn’t get off like he should’ve,” Fayetteville Academy coach Steve Mims Jr. said.
In his first 11 games with the Eagles, Johnson scored 20 or more points eight times, including a career-high 33 points in an 82-66 win against Terry Sanford in November.
“It’s a different environment,” Johnson said. “Public school is way more intense, but private school – I like it – and I’m playing point now, so I’ve got the ball in my hands a lot more. I like the transition.”
In addition to his increased scoring, Johnson is averaging 3.7 rebounds. 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals and just 1.3 turnovers per game.
“It’s definitely more comfortable,” he said. “I got more freedom at private school. At public school, you’re kind of in a set system and you can’t really do all what you want. In private school, I get to call a lot of what I want to do.”
When asked what sets Johnson apart from other players, Mims pointed to the guard’s “leadership, toughness and IQ.”
“He competes, controls all of the pressure and he’s a big-time scorer,” Mims said. “We need him in every aspect.”
Mims doesn’t have a senior on his 13-player roster, so Johnson’s poise has been vital to the team’s success.
“When he comes in, we need his sense of security,” Mims said. “He’s like a security blanket to me. It’s hard for me to take him out of the game, so any experience with him is a great experience.”
That’s why, even if Johnson needs a reminder about grabbing his jersey and shorts on game day, Mims will let it slide as long as his best player brings his best on the court.
“Not being perfect, but still being able to adjust, he’s been very patient with my (young) team,” Mims said.
“. … I think he’s a natural. I’m excited to watch him grow as a point guard – as one of the top point guards in this city.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.