Johnson, Jones Named Mr., Miss Basketball


Madison Academy’s Kerron Johnson and Bob Jones High School’s Jala Harris were named Mr. and Miss Basketball, respectively, by the Alabama Sports Writers Association Thursday at its Player of the Year luncheon at The Birmingham News.

Johnson and Harris were the top vote-getters among the ASWA’s Super Five selections as voted by the group’s prep committee. First-team all-state selections in their respective classes were eligible for Super Five selection, but only Players of the Year in each class were eligible for the ASWA’s top award.

Johnson was a key part of the Mustangs’ success the last four years, which included three Class 3A titles and a runner-up finish. This season he averaged 24 points, six assists and five rebounds per game. Committed to play next season at Belmont, he was a two-time state tourney MVP and three-time Regional MVP.

Johnson finished with 117 points, followed by Demarcus Cousins of LeFlore (115), Eric Bledsoe of Parker (112), Jordan Swing of Vestavia Hills (88) and David Murray of Leeds (63).

Harris, a 5-8 senior guard, is five-year starter and headed to UAB. She averaged 16 points per game, eight assists and four rebounds per game. She was named the Class 6A Final 48 state championship MVP in leading the Patriots to the state title.

Harris had 156 points in the voting, followed by Adrienne Webb of Sparkman (112), Courtney Strain of Woodland (90), Jessica Merritt of Talladega (66) and Amber Jones of Hazlewood (64).