-It’s been interesting to watch this Thrill group compete early on in the season as they have several promising young guards on the roster. But I don’t think any of them can pass the ball as well as Johnson. Loved the way that he pushed the pace in transition while playing under control, using his matchup’s momentum against them in transition to draw off-balance fouls around the rim, find teammates with a flurry of different passes, or score it himself. Johnson threaded the needle with a push pass that hit a teammate perfectly in stride despite traffic in the key for the easy layup, split the double and hit a teammate with a beautiful pocket pass for the bucket under the rim, and understands which players need bounce passes and which prospects need chest passes with more zip. Loved the ball pressure that he applied as the head of the snake for Thrill’s full court defensive schemes or run n jump traps in the halfcourt, taking advantage of his size and speed to rip basketballs away from unwitting bigs on the block or from guards in a vacuum.

-Like the strides he has made this season as a quick point guard that can create for others or call his own number when his team needs it. Throughout both games, Johnson showed that he is a really good passer with either hand as he got into gaps in the defense and delivered pocket passes with some zip to his bigs off a live dribble. He does a really good job of getting the step on his matchup and keeping him in jail behind him to create advantage situations for his team that usually leads to a bucket or free throws for his team. The jumper looks much smoother off the bounce as he develops balance in his footwork on shots off the bounce. In an expanded role with Thrill, coaches should see the upside he possesses as a floor general.

As harsh as this sounds, Johnson has benefitted early this season thanks to his big brother, Samartine Hill, being sidelined for Mount Carmel. There was original plans for Johnson to start out on JV, but with his dominance in practice and the needed depth at point guard on the varsity team, he not only earned the roster spot, but is registering meaningful minutes within the rotation. It’s been a tremendous opportunity for growth and he’s showed his speed on the ball to gain advantages off the dribble. He’s a fearless defender who doesn’t hesitate to matchup against bigger, physical guards, and has shown early signs of being coachable from the upperclassmen around him. There’s little doubt that Johnson will earn a boost down the road when the next update surfaces.

Chase seems to play with nonstop energy and toughness. He sets the tone as a defender at the point of attack, utilizing his quickness and anticipation to legitimately mirror opposing guards. On the other end, he’s an excellent penetrator who touches the paint at a high volume. Already very impactful, it’ll be exciting to follow Chase going forward with the Mount Carmel program.

-Johnson was the best play-maker on the floor in each game he played in throughout the afternoon. He can already throw any kind of pass in the halfcourt and comes off of screens really looking to create for others even though he usually has the airspace to get off a clean look at the rim. He’s a really quick downhill driving guard that gains an advantage and keeps that step on his matchup, and he is tough to stay in front of in the open court because he understands how to use your momentum against you. Good timing and feel to jump the passing lane and get it going the other way. Nice high finish off the window in transition. Walked into a 3 to keep the game tied, pretty much singlehandedly keeping his team in the game. Great push pass from the free throw line to the big at the other free throw line to give his team the game, followed by a smooth one-handed dime off the bounce to a rolling big. Although he thrives as a play-making point guard looking to get his teammates going, he can call his own number to score at a high level with or without a ball screen. His best play came on a high dribble pickup to split the double and get downhill before finishing through the contact at the rim. Should carve out a nice role for himself with the Cougars in his freshman season.