Jay Johnson, a recent graduate of Woodford High School in Versailles, Ky., visited the JALC campus Tuesday and has accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball at John A. Logan College this fall. A 6-foot-7 forward, Johnson averaged more than 20 points per game as a junior and was also in double figures in rebounding, but suffered a knee injury last June in a summer league high school game. He returned to the court in January and proceeded to knock down 15 points a game in half a season. (Logan Media Services photo)

CARTERVILLE – An All-State performer from Kentucky signed a letter of intent Tuesday to play basketball at John A. Logan College this fall.

Jay Johnson, a 6-foot-7 forward from Woodford High School in Versailles, Ky., which is near Lexington, said Logan is the right choice for him.

“It’s close to home and that matters to me,” Johnson said. “It also helps that there have been a number of players move on to Division I programs from here, so I think it’s my best bet.”

Johnson averaged more than 20 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks per game as a junior. He then suffered a knee injury (torn anterior cruciate ligament) in June of last year, which required surgery, but returned to game action in January and finished his senior season at 14 points and eight rebounds per game.

He was named All-Region and All-District his sophomore through senior years and All-State his senior year and was chosen to represent Kentucky in an All-Star game with Indiana.

“I feel blessed to be back healthy again and playing. It was a long process to get back on the court,” Johnson said. “There are still some things that are in my head with the injury, but the more I play, the more condident I get. I’m pretty excited about the challenge of playing college basketball and look forward to my freshman year at Logan. I think it’s a great opportunity for me. It’s the next step in my goal to play Division I basketball.”

Vols assistant coach Zach Carpenter said he likes what he sees in Johnson.

“To come back and play the last 15 games of his senior year as well as he did last season to earn All-State honors after recovering from the knee surgery is a testament to his talent and work ethic. I expect Jay to contribute right away for us.”

Carpenter added that Johnson had originally signed with Tennessee Tech.

“We were lucky that he became available.”