KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN PERLITA — Junior Tige Johnson is no stranger to San Perlita athletics.
Johnson saw his older brother and mother make their names in Trojans athletics throughout the years, and now Johnson is carrying that torch.
The 2018-19 season was a special one for Johnson and the Trojans. San Perlita took the next step as a program by reaching the regional tournament and brought home a second straight district title.
Johnson averaged a double-double with 28 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 6.0 blocks per game. After his strong junior season, he was named The Valley Morning Star ALL-STAR Most Valuable Player.
“Coach broke the news to me on Tuesday,” Johnson said. “He called me over and at first I thought I was in trouble, but I knew I hadn’t done anything until he broke the news to me. He and I celebrated and took in the moment. It is just a great accomplishment.”
Johnson was the fuel that helped keep the Trojans’ running. Despite having one more year to continue writing his script, he came into his own and took over games with his defense and offensively developed his 3-point range.
“For me, getting this award is a privilege, and being one of the younger guys, this is cool. This year I felt I put in a lot of work, and playing AAU ball and playing against strong competition helped me up my game,” Johnson said. “There were some things I felt I improved on this year, and shooting was one of them.”
While Johnson and a good crop of the team will return next season, the sky is the limit for Johnson and the Trojans. His junior year will hold a close place in his heart. Johnson played with his cousin, Noah Olivarez, who will graduate this spring.
“This year was amazing, and it was a special year that I won’t forget,” Johnson said. “Especially because of the people I was able to share it with. I was able to play with my friends that I grew up with and my cousin. I’m going to miss him so much. We have been together since we were babies, and for us to go on one last run together was amazing.”
The Trojans are on the fast track to being one of the top programs in the Rio Grande Valley with a firm foundation built and with their window of opportunity remaining open.
“What we do here is great, and we continue to make progress each day,” Johnson said. “Moving forward as an upperclassman, we need to get the younger guys ready to go and just continue to get better.”