Gamecocks' Johnson will play at Newberry

The Newberry College men's basketball team averaged 88.7 points a game during their 15-14 2017-18 campaign.

While he may not have looked at those numbers, what the Wolves did to reach those numbers is why Sumter High School's Jalen Johnson will become one of them.

"I feel like what they do, the style they play, is built for my game," said Johnson, who signed with Newberry on Wednesday during a ceremony at Sumter High. "They like to run and shoot, and I can shoot. What they do plays to my strength."

Johnson was fifth in scoring on a Sumter squad that went 17-7 last season and reached the second round of the 5A state playoffs, averaging 7.1 points a contest. However, he was tied for the lead in 3-point shots made with 25 along with Omar Croskey. Johnson made his 25 in 51 attempts for a percentage of 49 percent.

Sumter head coach Shawn Jones has high praise for Johnson in what he means to the team.

"Jalen might be the most valuable player on our team," Jones said. "He is the glue to the team. He talks to the other player, he rebounds, he shoots the ball. He does a lot of things for us."

Johnson received his offer from Newberry in June, the first school to offer him. Francis Marion and Southern Wesleyan offered him later, and he was also receiving interest from South Carolina State and Lander.

Johnson said he is ready for the opportunity to play at the collegiate level.

"This is something that I've been dreaming of," he said.