By JONATHAN GREENE
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
RICHLANDS, Va. — Devon Johnson has made a name for himself on the football field.
Now the Richlands star is doing the same on the basketball court.
Johnson recorded three double-doubles last week as he — and the Blue Tornado — is starting to hit his stride on the hardwood.
“It’s probably one of the best runs I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in basketball,” Richlands head coach Jody Fuller said.
In the Blues’ three games last week, Johnson scored 77 points, grabbed 44 rebounds and blocked 11 shots to help Richlands to a 2-1 mark. For his performance, Johnson has earned Pocahontas Coal Association/ Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Week honors.
“The team is getting their job done,” Johnson said. “We’re learning our roles and that’s opening things up for me. They’re finding me when I’m open like good teammates.”
Johnson’s numbers are impressive. He scored 18 points, had 15 rebounds and five blocks in a win over Marion then added 32 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks against Marion. In a loss to Honaker, he had 26 points, 16 boards and four blocks.
If that weren’t enough, he had 40 points and 23 rebounds in an overtime win on Tuesday against Abingdon.
“I think he’s getting basketball legs,” Fuller said. “I think the points he’s receiving is part of the system were trying to run. The points earlier in the year weren’t part of our structure.
“Now, they are coming in the concept of how we want to run. Our other players are starting to understand their roles and team is getting better.”
Richlands started the season out 1-7, but have turned it around as of late. Following their win Tuesday, the Blues are 5-9 overall and 2-3 in the Southwest District.
“Football season didn’t end for a while,” Johnson said. “Everyone else got to practice early, but we started late. That hurt us more than anything.
“A lot of people are doubting us and we’re taking advantage of that. Taking it in our hearts to do good and work hard.”
There is no doubt Richlands is better with Johnson on the floor than without. When Johnson went on a football recruiting trip a few weeks ago, the Blue Tornado struggled against Lebanon, falling 74-31.
“He’s obviously the leader of the team,” Fuller said. “The points and rebounds speak for themselves, but it’s all the other stuff.
“He’s the emotional leader. The kids look up to him. Leadership is huge. That’s why it’s important for him to make the right decisions.”
That is something Johnson has brought with him from the gridiron to the hardwood. He did have to leave a few things behind though.
“It’s a little different,” he said of basketball and football. “If you get a little upset, it’s not like football where you can take out your frustration on somebody. With basketball, blocking or dunking calms me down.”
He’s done just that too as demonstrated by his 11 blocks last week including several pinned on the glass.
“Freakish athletic ability,” Fuller said. “He does things with his body that no one I’ve ever seen or been around has been able to do. Possibly the quickest jumper.
“He’ll have three rebounds before some one else has gotten off the ground.”
With those talents, Johnson has won numerous awards throughout his career including twice being named the Pocahontas Coal Association/ Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Year in football.
“Devon is a very humble kid,” Fuller added. “Someone who has received the amount of awards and attention could very easily let that go to their head and affect demeanor.
“But that’s not Devon. The kids love being around him. He’s a great kid and has a good heart.”
When asked what it would be like to win both the football and basketball player of the year awards, Johnson said “I’d be happy, but we’re just trying to finish season strong and get our first postseason win.”
Although the awards are nice, Johnson just wants his team to win.
“We want to win the first playoff game and go farther,” he added. “It’s going to take a lot hustle and hard work. We can’t just show up.”
The Blue Tornado definitely has a chance this year with Johnson, Ben Brown and talented roster looking to prove everybody wrong.
“I think he’s getting better and our team is getting better,” Fuller said. “Our chemistry is getting better and the kids are learning roles. We’ve still got a good portion of the season ahead of us and we want to make some noise.”
Johnson added, “Right now, we’re young. In a couple years, Richlands is going to be hard to handle.”
— Contact Jonathan Greene
at jgreene@bdtonline.com

HONORABLE MENTION
Jan. 16-21
Ballard Christian (1-0 during the week): D.J. Deskins, 19 points; Josh Deskins, 17 points, 18 rebounds; Gage Bowles, 8 points.
Bland County (0-2): Asher Dillow, 46 points; Darryl Clark, 21 points; Chase Hankins, 13 points vs. Galax.
Bluefield (2-0): Anthony Eades, 56 points; K.J. Manns, 28 points, 11 rebounds; Lykel Collier, 23 points including 10 points, 10 rebounds vs. Summers Co.
Council (0-1): Josh Viers, 14 points
Graham (0-2): Corey Coppola, 33 points including 24 vs. Grayson; Lamont Edwards, 20 points; Tony Hood, 13 points vs. Ft. Chiswell; Colby Hill, 10 points vs. Grayson.
Grundy (1-1): Ben Rife, 32 points including, 16 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists in win over Twin Valley; Tyler Stacy, 19 points; Travis Lester, 20 points.
Honaker (2-0): Jeremiah Dye, 40 points; Payton Ball, 27 points; Ty Hall, 28 points.
Hurley (2-0): Tyler Cooper, 37 points; Dustin Waynick, 24 points; Austin Cooper, 23 points.
James Monroe (2-1): Zach Hatfield, 40 points; Wes Jones, 42 points; Chastin Wickline, 24 points; Micah Deskins, 14 points in win over Nicholas Co.
Mercer Christian (0-2): Caleb Janning, 35 points; James Beckner, 31 points; Jonathan Easter, 23 points in loss to New Life.
Montcalm (0-1): Josh Hamblin, 8 points, 17 rebounds vs. Richwood; Matt Pennington, 12 points.
Mount View (2-1): Teddy Hazzard, 31 points; Maurice Brown, 48 points; Ishmyle Salyer, 9 points, 7 rebounds vs. Meadow Bridge; Jerry Saunders, 16 points vs. Van; Tashaan Vineyard, 13 points vs. Van.
PikeView (2-0): David Keen, 43 points; Will Webster, 38 points.
Princeton (3-1): Ryan Meadows, 49 points; Kyle Caron, 29 points; Hunter Walters, 23 points.
Pipestem Christian (2-0); Austin Peyton, 26 points; Aleks Lane, 23 points; Zayne Worley, 11 points, Dylan Kinzer, 14 points.
Richlands (2-1): Ben Brown, 43 points; Eric Harris, 11 points in win over Twin Valley.
Summers County (0-1): T.J. Smith, 27 points in loss to Bluefield.
Twin Valley (0-1): Shannon Adams, 11 points; Logan Cantrell, 9 points.
Tazewell (1-1): Noah Walker, 34 points including 12 points, 11 rebounds in loss to Oak Hill ‘Red’; Jalen Jordan, 32 points; Blake Hash, 21 points in win over Abingdon.
Wyoming East (1-1): Marcus Schofield, 38 points including 21 in win over Oak Hill; Luke Campbell, 30 points.