Johnny Harold High - 1990

Johnny Harold High, born on April 25, 1957 in Livingston, Alabama was the fourth of seven children born to Bernice Bell High and Willie High Sr.  Johnny was recognized as a talented youngster at an early age.  His parents instilled in him a sense of values and family pride and from that he developed the spirit and willingness to compete. 

Johnny graduated in May of 1975 from Jones Valley High School where he lettered in two sports and was named to the Basketball All-Tournament Team three times.  In his senior year, he was named to the High School All-American Team, All-State Team, All-City Team and honored as Post-Herald Metro player of the Year.  As a result, Johnny was heavily recruited nationwide but chose to sign with Lawson State, where he was one of four family members to player for the Cougars. 

While at Lawson, Johnny impacted upon the program that was rich in talent and second to none.  He was then considered by opposing coaches and scholars of the game to be the nest that the state had ever produced in the guard position.  Johnny started ever game and always drew the toughest assignments according to all scouting reports; however, he readily accepted these assignments which only supported his boast about his defensive ability.  

Johnny’s contributions at Lawson State consisted of 510 assists, 613 rebounds, and 1151 points in a total of 67 games.  He made the All-Tournament Team in every tournament that Lawson participated in.  His leadership in those two years boosted Lawson to a 7-0 record against J. C. Calhoun and a 5-0 record against Jefferson State – the Conference’s “most powerful teams”. In a trip to the NJCAA, Johnny led Lawson State to break and/or set five national records and to a fourth place finish.  At this tournament, he was voted to the All-NJCAA First Tournament Team.  He heralded his team to an over-all 61-6 record and three straight State Championships.  As part of the Alabama Junior College Conference, he and his teammates amassed a 1976-77 Central Division record during a three-year period of 48 games in which Lawson’s record was 47-1.  Johnny succeeded in becoming the first Alabama Junior College Conference player to be selected as a First Team All-American.  

After the National JUCO Tournament, a writer for Sports Illustrated Magazine rated Johnny as one the nation’s “Top 20 Recruits”.  After being heavily recruited again, Johnny played two seasons for the University of Nevada, Reno, and in his senior year was named to the All-Conference Team in the West Coast Atlantic Conference.  Here, he studied for a degree in education and mathematics. 

Johnny was the second player in the second round of the 1979 college draft.  He was the twenty-fourth overall pick.  He played in the NBA in the position of guard with the Phoenix Suns Basketball team for nearly five seasons.  He was famous for his defense and hard-nosed style of play. 

A community service oriented person, Johnny donated time and financial support to “Bicycles for Kids”, “65 Roses Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis”, and “La Mancha Club Basketball League”.  He was a member of Victoria’s Living Men’s Bible Study group and a member of Tanner Chapel A. M. E. Church.