Henderson County’s Xavion Johnson will represent the Colonels on one of Kentucky basketball’s top stages this weekend.
Johnson was one of 16 players selected to the Kentucky Junior All-Star Team and will face the Kentucky Senior All-Stars on Friday at Louisville Eastern High School before taking on the Indiana Junior All-Stars on Saturday at Charlestown High School in Indiana.
“It’s really an honor to be from Henderson and be on the Junior All-Star team,” Johnson said. “I think it has been a while since someone else has done it from here.”
It has indeed been a long wait for Henderson County. Former Colonel David Simmons was the last Henderson County player selected to the Kentucky Junior All-Star Team in 2014. Simmons later finished his career fourth on the program’s all-time scoring list and went on to play for Division I programs.
Johnson said making the team became a personal goal well before the season began.
“I really thought about it last summer,” Johnson said. “It ended up being a goal I had for this season.”
Johnson averaged 14.1 points per game as a junior while also leading Henderson County in rebounding at 4.6 per contest. He added 3.5 assists per game and helped lead the Colonels to a 26-5 record and a 2nd Region runner-up finish.
He was also the starting point guard on Henderson County’s 2024 Region championship team that advanced to the Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena.
Johnson enters his senior season closing in on 700 career points, and will have an opportunity to surpass the 1,000-point mark next winter.
Johnson credited increased confidence for much of his growth this past season.
“I think my confidence has improved from last year to this year,” he said. “I was looking to score more. My teammates put a lot of trust in me.”
Henderson County head coach Tyler Smithhart praised Johnson’s leadership, consistency and impact on the program over the past two seasons.
“Xavion Johnson has been the steady leader and engine of the Henderson County Colonels, and his selection to the Kentucky Junior All-Star Team is a well-earned honor that reflects both his talent and his impact on our program,” Smithhart said in a statement. “As our starting point guard, Xavion has helped lead the Colonels to an outstanding 51-12 record over the past two seasons, including a 26-5 finish this year and a runner-up finish in the 2nd Region. This season, he averaged 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while setting the tone on both ends of the floor with his toughness, poise, and leadership.
“Xavion’s work ethic, competitiveness, and ability to make everyone around him better make him a special player and an outstanding representative of our school and community.”
Johnson credited those around him for helping him reach the milestone.
“I’m just thankful for everybody who believed in me, and everybody who helped me throughout the season, especially my coaches and my teammates,” he said.
Update from Saturday’s game: Johnson scored 1 point but was active on the boards and as a floor general as the Kentucky Juniors fell to the Kentucky Seniors 124-105.
