First-time all-star plays big
Darren Johnston made the most of his first appearance in an all-star game.
The 17-year-old Governor Simcoe guard had 10 points and five rebounds Tuesday night as the Zone 4 All-Stars lost 105-93 to their opponents from Zone 3 in the Third Annual Niagara Region Basketball Showcase at the Welland Campus of Niagara College.
“I just want to have fun and experience playing with all the new players,” the Grade 12 student said before Tuesday’s game. “And you get to see all your friends play.”
The 5-foot-10 player has played three years of senior basketball for the Governor Simcoe Redcoats and had made great strides in his game.
“It has developed a lot,” he said. “When I was in Grade 10 and playing senior, it was great experience. You don’t expect the level of play at first and once you get in that first game, you realize how physical it is.
“Over the years, you start to learn and you are able to play more physical.”
So far this season, the former travel player with the Niagara Rangers and St. Catharines Rebels is leading his high school team in scoring, averaging 16 points per game. At the recent Standard High School Basketball Tournament, Johnson averaged 14 points per game and helped the Redcoats reach the championship semifinals.
“Even though he is small in stature, he bangs the boards hard and attacks the basket with speed and aggression,” Governor Simcoe head coach Shaun Feor said. “Darren is trying to prove he is ready for the next level.”
Johnston loves going into the paint to score and to hunt for rebounds.
“I come inside because that’s where I get all my speed and momentum and then I find the closest person that I can box out,” he said.
Johnston isn’t afraid to get knocked down.
“I just have to find a way to get around them the next time,” he said.
He is unsure whether he is going to return for 12B, but does have a basketball goal in mind.
“I want to go to college or university and find a way to continue playing basketball.”
He knows he has still work to do if he wants to play hoops at the post secondary level.
“I have to get stronger yet, especially at my height, because of all the big guys who are playing at that level.”
STATS PACK
Zone Three 105 Zone Four 93
Mick and Angelo’s/Johnny Rocco’s Stars of the Game: Jacob Labonte of Jean Vanier with 14 points and 3 rebounds for Zone 3; Clayton Thomas-Harris of St. Catharines Collegiate with 11 points and 3 rebounds for Zone 4.
Zone Three (points and rebounds listed in order): Labonte, 14 points, 3 rebounds; Reese Radobenko, Centennial, 7 points, 3 rebounds; Nick Yioldassis, Centennial, 4 points, 2 rebounds; David Jones, Notre Dame, 14 points, 3 rebounds; Shamar Campbell, Notre Dame, 9 points, 9 rebounds; Jerwyn Tutanes, St. Paul, 15 points, 3 rebounds; Neil Maharai, Stamford; 3 points; Abdul Sheik-Ali, Westlane, 4 points, 4 rebounds; Jason Carter, E.L. Crossley, 7 points, 2 rebounds; Austin Ladoucer, Greater Fort Erie, 4 points, 2 rebounds; Nick Murdaca, A.N. Myer, 10 points, 7 rebounds; Neil Wangler, Niagara Christian, 2 points, 1 rebound; Cormac McMahon, 11 points, 9 rebounds.
Zone Four (points and rebounds listed in order): Thomas-Harris, 11 points, 3 rebounds; Adrian Waszak, Holy Cross, 8 points, 5 rebounds; Igor M’Baya, St. Francis, 5 points, 2 rebounds; Noah Honsberger, Denis Morris, 8 points, 5 rebounds; Tykree Llewellyn, St. Catharines Collegiate, 9 points, 10 rebounds; Colton Spencer, Thorold, 7 points, 6 rebounds; Darren Johnston, Governor Simcoe, 10 points, 5 rebounds; Charlie Edgar, Eden, 8 points, 2 rebounds; Josh Enns, Blessed Trinity, 8 points, 4 rebounds; Mason MacEachern, Governor Simcoe, 4 points; Also playing were Calvin Bultje, Heritage Christian, Zubeer Liban, Denis Morris and Noah Garnace, Sir Winston Churchill.
