Getting it done
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AUBURN, Ala. | When Michael Smith took over Eufaula's basketball team in May he inherited one of the state of Alabama's top prospects for the 2018 class.
Tony Johnson hasn't disappointed.
The sophomore point guard is averaging approximately 26 points and six assists this season while maintaining a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.
"You can't beat that combination," Smith said. "He has great court awareness and handles the basketball real well and just has a great ability to get to the rim. He's got a nice outside shot that people have to respect.
"He wants to get better, wants to be pushed and he's been doing everything we've asked of him so far. His upside can be whatever he wants it to be. He's just going to continue to get better."
Johnson and Eufuala faced it's toughest challenge of the season Tuesday. The 5A school travelled to 7A Auburn to face the undefeated Tigers.
Eufaula fell behind early but made a late rally before Auburn prevailed 64-56.
"I think they intimidated us a little bit in the first half," Smith said. "We were able to pick up some pressure defense, pick up some steals and turn them into some easy baskets."
Johnson finished with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals.
"I think I played OK," Johnson said. "My shot wasn't falling but I tried to get my teammates involved and take what the defense gave me."
Auburn's Garrison Brooks, a top 2017 prospect, was a difference-maker scoring a career-high 27 points and snagging 10 rebounds.
Both Johnson and Brooks have offers from Auburn and have become friends attending camps and visiting schools together including many trips to Auburn.
"I actually stay at his house a lot," Johnson said. "I come up and we go on a lot of visits together. He's like my brother. It was great playing against him. It was very competitive, very fun. We've been talking about it since the schedules came out."
Auburn assistant coach Harris Adler was in the stands Tuesday night to watch Johnson and Brooks.
"I always come to their campus because it's closest to me," Johnson said. "It's great that they can come out and find time throughout their season and watch me play. It means a lot.
"Auburn is a great school. Coach Bruce Pearl is great. They're changing the culture at Auburn from like a football school. They're starting to get some big-time recruits in basketball and they're turning basketball around. I think it's a great school and it's a great campus. I just like to be around it."
Johnson may very well end up at Auburn but he doesn't plan to have a decision until next fall at the earliest. For now, he doesn't want to choose a leader, either.
"I'm steady with my recruitment," Johnson said.
In addition to Auburn, Samford has offered and he's receiving serious interest from Vanderbilt, Georgia and UAB. Right now, Johnson's focus is more on a rematch with Auburn High School on Monday.
"The good thing is we get them at home and we're undefeated at home," Smith said. "Anytime you get a chance to play a quality ball club like Auburn that's going to help us in the long run."
