After finishing the season 8-14 last year, the returning Adams boys basketball players are looking to build on last season’s highs. Led by seniors KJ Johnston, Amari Wesson, and Gerron Barr (Ronny), the Eagles are gearing up to regain the sectional title earned by the team in 2022. Despite taking their first loss to St. Joe 76-52 last week, the team has defeated Victory Christian and Cassopolis (MI) earlier this season.
Lineup wise there are three players returning to the varsity roster from last year, Barr, Wesson, and Jarvis Tolbert who started varsity as a freshman last season. Lemonz Jones (PB), David Hayo, and Mikey Barr Jr. dressed for JV last year but have since claimed a varsity spot for the 23-24 year. Dylan Lawwill and Garrett Miller were only beginning their high school basketball careers on the freshman team last winter but decided to put in the work to move up and are now among the names listed when the ‘boys varsity roster’ link is selected on the Adams sports website.
There are also some new faces in the group. Some just new to the John Adams community as incoming freshmen and some new to the school from other high schools. These players are Carter Johnston, John Anella (Johnny), Terron Johnson (TJ) and Dion Taylor. Johnston and Anella are incoming freshmen and swing between JV and varsity. Johnson and Taylor are both varsity players, class of 2026 and former members of the St. Joe basketball team.
Now for how the seasons looking from the team’s point of view. When asked if he thinks there’s a chance of regaining the sectional title earned in 2022, Ronny seemed confident in this team’s ability to SOAR through to sectionals. Lawwill was also questioned about how he sees this season going, “I have a great feeling about this season, there is chemistry all over the team and communication is great. I believe we have a great shot at the sectional title this season. Being a swinging [player] this year is a great feeling, the pressure is there but having the JV experience from last year and this year will really help me and get me into the [swing] of things this season.” Lawwill is coming off an ankle injury sustained in practice back in early November. He is expected to make his season debut in next week’s matchup against Clay.
Father of KJ and Carter and head coach of the Eagles boys basketball team, Chad Johnston is entering his seventh year in this position at Adams with a current record of 95-60 (295-191 overall). This year is especially important for coach Johnston because both of his boys are playing for him, at the same time. Reason for the specification ‘at the same time’ is because KJ played under Chad freshman year but this year they are BOTH officially playing for him (Carter swings).
All in all the team, players and coaches included are prepared to make a run this basketball season and maybe even take home some hardware… With that being said, to quote Adams’ favorite principal, “Have a good day and GoEagles!” Ari out.
