J.O. Johnson boys win 5A state championship

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The following is from the AHSAA:

J.O. Johnson High School (32-4) beat Ramsay 59-52 Saturday at the BJCC Legacy Arena to capture the Class 5A boys state basketball title.

The win also gave Jaguars Coach Jack Doss the eighth state title of his prep coaching career. He is the first boys basketball coach in AHSAA history to win eight titles -- snapping a tie with R.C. Hatch legendary coach Eugene Mason.

Class 5A state tournament MVP John Petty had 15 points, four assists, three steals and five rebounds and exited the game with the other Jaguars starters with 1:42 remaining and Johnson leading 52-39. Ramsay went on a 13-7 run to end the game to close to seven. Terrion Bone added 14 points for Johnson and Justin Hopkins had 13.

Jordan Millsap and Jonathan Etheridge each had 15 for Ramsay (30-6), coached by Kelly Cheatham. Baniko Harley added 12. The Rams were Class 5A runner-up to Parker in 2014 and J.O. Johnson lost in overtime to Dallas County in the 2014 Class 4A finals.

Mason, who won all seven of his state titles at R.C. Hatch of Uniontown, collapsed earlier this week while helping his former student and player Cecil Williams prepare Keith High School's girls team for the Class 1A state championship game Williams' team won Friday. Mason was later pronounced dead at a Selma hospital.

Doss offered condolences to Mason's game during his post-game press conference. "I have always respected Coach Mason the R.C. Hatch program. I was shocked to learn of his death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Mason's family."

Doss won two state championships at Birmingham's Hayes High School (1981, 1982) and had five state titles at Butler (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 2011). Danny Petty is the only other boys coach in state history to win boys basketball championships at three schools.

Class 5A Boys All-Tournament Team

John Petty, J.O. Johnson (MVP); Terrion Bone, J.O. Johnson; Justin Hokpins, J.O. Johnson; Jordan Millsap, Ramsay; Albert Luke, Ramsay; Jerrod Moorer, Dallas County; Josh Hill, Faith Academy.