Boys basketball: Garfield Heights' Marcus Johnson joins elite list as repeat Mr. Basketball winner

GARFIELD HTS. — Marcus Johnson now has bragging rights in the family. A year after becoming Ohio's Mr. Basketball like his father and coach, Sonny Johnson, he is now a two-time winner of the award. The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association announced Johnson's selection Thursday as this season's Mr. Basketball, becoming the first two-time winner since Luke Kennard of Franklin in 2014 and '15. Johnson also edged Cameron Elwer of Delphos St. John's for the second year, though this time only 99 points to 91. Other finalists included Brunswick senior Trey Drexler, Zanesville Maysville senior Gator Nichols, New Madison Tri-Village senior Trey Sagester, Columbus Academy senior Jason Singleton and West Chester Lakota West junior Josh Tyson. "It's just a blessing from God," Johnson said. "I'm really thankful for it. Not too many people did that." Upon learning of his selection, Johnson studied the list of Mr. Basketball winners and was humbled by the exclusive company. He is the seventh player to win the state's top individual award in consecutive seasons, joining Kennard, Jared Sullinger of Columbus Northland (2009-10), O.J. Mayo of Cincinnati North College Hill (2005-06), LeBron James of St. Vincent-St. Mary (2001-03), Greg Simpson of Lima Senior (1991-92) and Jimmy Jackson of Toledo Macomber (1988-89). Johnson passed Jackson on the OHSAA's career scoring list during the tournament. He finished with 2,364 points, which will rank in the top 30 after this season, when he and Elwer will both join that club. "I used to sit back and just really walk through every game and think, 'This kid is unbelievable,''" said Sonny Johnson, who won Mr. Basketball in 1998 as a senior at Garfield Heights while playing for his father, William Johnson. "No matter what you did, no matter how you tried to stop him, he could put up 30 points or 25 points on the board no matter what you did." Johnson also is on pace to have the distinction of being a four-time, first-team All-Ohioan when those are announced next week. He grew with his game each of those four years, both physically and as a leader. Statistically, he even improved from last year's Mr. Basketball run by averaging 30.1 points through the regular season, which serves as a reference point for postseason honors. The Bulldogs finished 18-7 with a loss to Archbishop Hoban in the Division III regional semifinals. Johnson ultimately averaged 28.5 points with 6.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.7 steals. His team's schedule included three games in Florida for the prestigious City of Palms Classic and a showdown with D-V state champion Lutheran East, which seeks an unprecedented fourth straight state crown this weekend. "That guy still finds a way to get his shots off and keep his poise," Lutheran East coach Sam Liggins said. "For a kid like that, he gets pressured that way and face-guarded that way and never complains and continues to play the game all the way through and make plays for his teammates, he's a special kid." Johnson's leadership was tested on a younger roster, too. The Bulldogs returned only one other starter from last season's state semifinal run, a sophomore. They also started a freshman at guard and had only two other seniors on the team. "This year, he had to do so much," Sonny Johnson said. Anticipating that load, Marcus Johnson added almost 10 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame. He credited his mother, Sianez Johnson, for stressing over his nutrition and recovery. She also is the reason the Johnson family can now showcase their Mr. Basketball trophies, as Sonny admitted his had to be "put away" until Marcus won his last year. "His mother doesn't play about him winning his trophy," Sonny Johnson said. "Her baby has won multiple awards, so all of the trophies are coming out. Even some of mine are coming out as well." Marcus added, "A lot of people look at me and my dad, but my mom means so much." Her attention to his nutrition will soon be his responsibility when he leaves in June for South Carolina. Johnson initially committed to Ohio State two years ago, but flipped in November to the Gamecocks, where his cousin Demetrius "Meechie" Johnson Jr. thrived this season as a redshirt senior. It's a decision both Marcus Johnson and his father said they thought might cost him Mr. Basketball consideration this year because the award has often gone hand in hand with Buckeyes recruits. However, they made the change in part because of relationships. Family played a part, the Johnsons said in November, but so did South Carolina coach Lamont Paris' track record with former Garfield Heights players. Now that his high school career is over, Marcus Johnson said he plans to focus on preparing for college. He will leave in June and major in sports management. "My main focus is just perfecting my craft," he said. "I want to get faster, more explosive and in better shape." His only regret was not winning a state championship with his father. A night after the Bulldogs' season ended vs. Hoban, Johnson posted a heartfelt message on Instagram directed to his father and apologized for not winning a state championship. They reached two regional finals and one state semifinal, but Sonny Johnson wouldn't hear any of it. He was just happy to have one more season coaching his son. "Had we won it last year, I wouldn't have had this year with him," said Sonny Johnson, who considered enrolling Marcus in prep school after his junior season. They came close to that elusive championship but lost by one point to Louisville in the state semifinals. Marcus cited it as one of his main reasons to stay home. "This year was another year to be with him, win or lose," Sonny Johnson said. "I got to watch him grow. It was everything."