Johnson's heroics lift New Media over Future

It wasn't too long ago that Keenon Johnson's school matched his neighborhood, as in Olney.

The assorted variables never felt quite right at the former, however, and the search for something better led to New Media Charter in Mount Airy, right down the street from Germantown's football stadium.

Did someone say football?

"The athletes in my family, that was always what they played," Johnson said. "I played it, too, but once I tried basketball, it took me right away. I came to love it. I like the anticipation you have for the games. And then the cheering and the noise and the excitement and the intensity . . . "

Emerging as the hero ain't half-bad, either.

Thursday, Johnson, a senior swingman who goes 6-3, 185 pounds, totaled game highs in points (21) and rebounds (nine) as the Jaguars edged visiting Future, 65-59, in a Public E game.

Better yet, as Future held for a chance at a tie, or even a trey that might have won it, Johnson stole an entry pass on the side of the lane and motored all the way downcourt for a clinching layup at 0:15. The final two points came on Aatif Clark's free throws at 0:02.

Johnson was the middle guy in a two-three zone.

"Once the guy flashed into the high post, I knew they'd be going to him," Johnson said. "I just anticipated the pass and picked it off. I didn't know if I'd be able to steal it, but I at least wanted to mess things up for them. It felt cool going down the court."

Johnson packed nine points into a 17-12 first quarter, then was prominent again in the last 2 minutes with five more markers. Even a missed shot worked out, because John Fieffe was able to flip home a follow.

"Since I'm kind of big," Johnson said, "I draw notice when I go to the hole. If I can make the shots myself, that's fine, but if the defenders do their job and collapse on me, I'm able to dump it off to the other guys. Just as good."

Early, the all-time mismatch appeared to be in the offing. Looking frightened and incompetent, the Firebirds missed their first eight shots and NM rolled to a 10-0 pad. So much for early reads. Led by feisty mini-guards Davone White and Domonique Williams, and small forward Dominick Morales, a freshman, Future again and again got on the break after benefiting from NM's sloppiness.

"Back and forth. That's how games go. Just have to keep playing," said Johnson, who lives on Rubincam Street near 2nd. "I never thought we'd lose it, though. I had faith in my teammates. We all have heart."

Ahtiff Govan-Wheeler (14 points) helped NM's cause with two late treys, while Marquis Singleton was bouncy inside en route to 13 points and six rebounds. White and Morales halved 30 points and Williams (13) was right behind. Morales added four steals and two other freshmen, Chauncy Scott (six points, same number of boards) and Nick Miles (eight rebounds in minimal minutes), left the gym feeling good about themselves.

The beefy Scott must be a Charles Barkley fan; he wears No. 34. Johnson is partial to Kevin Durant.

"He was my favorite even before I started playing that much," he said.