VIDEO: Jared Johnson Interview
ROCK HILL, S.C.- Carson-Newman men's basketball senior guard Jared Johnson (Springfield, Mass.) has been named to the South Atlantic Conference's preseason All-SAC second team.
"Jared's invested a lot here in improving his game," Carson-Newman head men's basketball coach Chuck Benson said. "It'll be interesting to see how he performs this year because there's a greater need for him to step up and fill the void left by our four seniors (Antoine Davis, Ish Sanders, Ray Likely and Kevin Leatherwood). Jared's smart enough and wise enough though to know that he doesn't need to go deliver 20 to 25 points night in night out."
Carson-Newman's third leading scorer at 10.3 points per game a year ago, Johnson started 26 of the 27 games in which he appeared. He missed one game and one start with a bout of pink eye.
He led C-N with 4.2 assists per game and shot 55 percent from the field and 53 percent from three-point range. Johnson had 14 games with at least 10 points, one 20-point game and 11 games where he handed out five assists.
"It's great to get this accolade coming into my senior year, playing alongside Ish (Sanders) and Antoine (Davis) I never got anything because they hogged them all," Johnson said with a laugh. "It's based on last season, but I don't hold my head on this. I'm humble to have it, but it's about last year. I'm focused on this year and getting better every day."
Johnson set his career high for points with a 27-point effort in a home win over Newberry (1/25). In that game he hit 8-of-11 shots and a career high 10-of-12 free throws. Snared a career best eight rebounds - all defensive - in a road victory at Catawba (2/1). Reset his career high for assists with nine helpers in a home win over Tusculum (11/20).
Had his best stretch from Jan. 18 - Feb. 5 when he averaged 15.1 points over a six-game stretch. Also produced a career high five steals on two occasions - at Newberry (3/1) and at Anderson (1/29). Johnson had three games where he had at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Johnson and the rest of the Eagles open up their season Nov. 14-15 at the 45-Second Classic in Wilson, N.C. against host Barton and Mount Olive. Coverage of the games will be available online at cneagles.com/live.
First Team:
Dondray Walker, Newberry
Lorenza Ross, Lincoln Memorial
Ryan Daye, Wingate
Darius Moose, Brevard
Demarkus Smith, Newberry
Myson Jones, Anderson
Second Team:
Luquon Choice, Lincoln Memorial
Kijuan Arrington, Catawba
Chris Ross, Anderson
Larry Felder, Coker
Jared Johnson, Carson-Newman
Isaiah Cuthbertson, Mars Hill