James Johnson “is very poised when he plays,” says head coach Alfred Barney. (Photo by Bill Roa)

Georgia Perimeter College men’s basketball player James Johnson earned All-America and conference player of the year honors as the Jaguars completed a successful season.

After the Jaguars won the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association regular season title, Johnson was named the GCAA player of the year and eventually made the All-America second team selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Displaying a remarkable touch around the basket and a knack on the boards, the 6-foot-7 forward led the Jaguars in scoring (15.6 points per game) and rebounding (10.5). He was among the GCAA leaders in each category.

“James is very poised when he plays,” said head coach Alfred Barney. “His maturity is what really helped us. He’s a leader on and off the court.”

Georgia Perimeter hosted the GCAA tournament, and in the championship game the Jaguars led Gordon College at halftime 37-36. But Gordon moved ahead the second half, beating the Jaguars 73-60 to win the title and advance to nationals.

Georgia Perimeter finished the season with a 25-8 record, 14-4 in the league.

Barney was voted GCAA coach of the year by his peers. Muhammad Abdul-Aleem, who scored 27 points in GPC’s semifinal victory over Albany Technical College, was selected to the all-tournament team. Abdul-Aleem and Shareif Adamu were all-conference honorable mention selections.