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Springwood’s Greg Johnson will be taking his talents to Huntingdon College next year. The senior small forward has been a leader for the Wildcats, recently taking them to a state final game. He signed on to play with Huntingdon on Friday afternoon in front of friends and family. 

Johnson did not start at Springwood. He and his brother CJ, a junior, transferred from Opelika High School before his junior year. One of the main reasons for transferring was to increase his playing time and his chance at getting a college scholarship. That move paid off on Friday when he signed his letter of commitment in Springwood’s Fine Arts Center. 

“Two years ago, we met him,” said Joey Burch, Springwood’s Athletic Director and Johnson’s football coach. “His attitude, his work ethic, his determination, his leadership skills; if you are drawing up what you want in an athlete, Greg’s got all those, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to continue to work.”

Johnson was also a standout on the gridiron. He was named to the All-Valley team in 2023 and 2024 for his work as a defensive lineman. However, basketball was always his sport.

“Basketball was always the one I wanted to do, and football really just came,” Johnson said. “I was the first one in my family to do basketball. Everybody else was football.”

He found his team at Springwood. Head basketball coach Lisa Sampson spoke on Johnson’s progress since becoming a Wildcat.

“[This] summer this year, he was kind of figuring it out from a work ethic standpoint, what you needed to do, but then as a leader…that’s why we were able to accomplish what we accomplished.”

Sampson played college basketball at Auburn University and gave Johnson some insight. 

“Playing college basketball was the hardest thing I ever did and the best thing I ever did. And I’m so happy for you that you have the opportunity to do that because you know what hard work is, you’re going to be successful and you’re going to get a college degree. I’m so thrilled for you.”

The small forward was joined on stage by his family. He spoke after the signing ceremony on getting to play with his younger brother at Springwood.  

“We’ve been playing our whole lives together. So with us playing together now and getting trophies like this,” Johnson said, pointing to the basketball state runner-up trophy sitting on the table, “is very special.”

The recruiting process was “quiet” at the start, said Johnson. 

“At the start of the year, I thought I was maybe just gonna go to school for school,” he reflected. “After I got the [Huntingdon] offer, it boosted my confidence. I can really play.”

The senior plans to make an immediate impact when he steps onto campus next Fall. 

“I feel like my work and my leadership skills will help me get wherever I need to be,” Johnson said. 

Johnson said he will not soon forget Springwood and how it prepared him for the next step in his journey. 

“I loved it. I mean, every single part of it, from the late nights practicing, even the games, even coming up short [at the state basketball finals]. But, I mean it’s a lot to show for.”