Johnson becomes first Phillips Academy Gatorade MA Boys Basketball POY winner
ANDOVER, Mass. (BVM) — Dallion Johnson has been well known on the basketball court in Massachusetts for a long time. The Bradford native has been working on his craft from a young age, playing on travel and AAU teams around the state. His success at the prep level has led to a major accomplishment from one prestigious award.
Before his senior season, Johnson committed to play basketball at Penn State University. The early decision did not have an impact on his senior campaign, as he picked up right where he left off. The Phillips Academy Andover guard dominated in 2019-20, leading the area with 21.0 points per game and 74 3-pointers. Johnson was the charge for his team, as the Big Blues went 14-12 this season.
Andover coach Terrell Ivory has seen the growth out of Johnson that led to his breakout year, since his first arrival at the school.
鈥淗e (Dallion) came in really early and most at our level in the NEPSAC, you don’t see ninth graders playing right away,” Ivory said. “He came in and started every game since his freshman year and he didn’t miss many because of injuries. He just had a really good basketball IQ and that grew a lot over four years. He learned not only how to score for himself, but also how to get open shots for his teammates.”
Throughout his time with the Big Blues, Johnson鈥檚 work ethic has always shown through to others around him.
鈥淗e鈥檚 one of those guys that would come in early to practice and stay late after practice,” Ivory said. “He鈥檚 worked with a lot of different people who have pushed him and helped him get better as a basketball player. He鈥檚 made a lot of sacrifices, I think, in order to be as good as he is and he’s really talented, but he also works really, really hard.”
Johnson鈥檚 growth in leadership traits has been something that has impressed his coach since his early beginning with the team.
鈥淎t first, I don’t necessarily think he felt comfortable being a vocal leader, but I think he grew in that way, especially off the court,” Ivory said. “I think kids saw how hard he worked and they knew he held them accountable by working hard himself and they knew in order to reach the goals we wanted to, they needed to work just as hard as he did.”
Johnson’s commitment can also be seen in the community. As a NAACP Youth Member, he volunteers his time helping cancer research by fundraising local campaigns. His volunteer efforts don鈥檛 stop there, as he helps lend time to coach basketball and be a youth mentor.
With the standout senior season he had, Johnson was honored with the Gatorade Massachusetts Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. Johnson is the first player at Phillips Academy to receive the honor that spotlights athletic excellence along with academic achievement.
鈥淗e set some goals and he actually reached those goals,” Ivory said. “One of those goals was to be the NEPSAC Player of the Year in Class A, he did that. Another one was to be Gatorade Player of the Year, and he did that as well. When you set those goals, you have to take some steps to reach those goals, and he did that.
He put the work in to achieve the things that he set out to do, and I just think that’s amazing. It’s sort of a validation of four years, consistently working hard and putting in the time and making sure he was getting better for himself, but also helping his teammates get better.”
With his senior year behind him Dallion Johnson is ready to take the next step at the college ranks. His coach knows a little bit about that stage, playing and coaching at Davidson College. He believes the teams practices and preseason program have helped prepare him.
鈥淎t the next level, I hope he’s an elite playmaker for them (Penn State), but I just know because he works so hard and because he has such a high IQ, I think that he鈥檚 going to figure it out,” Ivory said. “He鈥檚 going to figure out a way to get on the court, he’s going to figure out a way to contribute and help his team win.
He鈥檚 a winner and there鈥檚 games where he just absolutely took over and made plays in order to help us be able to compete at the level that we wanted to compete at.”
