CARTHAGE — Senior Chase Johnson has been a key contributor for the Tigers’ boys’ basketball team since his freshman season and after a strong summer working on his game, the 6’0 guard has high expectations for the upcoming season.

Johnson is a physical guard who likes to play fast, is good and making open shots and defends well at his position.

This offseason he worked on getting stronger and more explosive.

“I focused on little things, balance, being sharp with the ball, and creating my own shots,” he said.

Despite struggling through a tough junior season at Carthage, Johnson says the program appears headed in the right direction with a good mix of experienced players and up-and-coming youngsters. He says he looks forward to playing rival Webb City the most, an opponent he scored 20 points against last season.

I’m looking forward to playing against Webb, last year our seniors started in senior night and we got down 18-4 within two minutes and we never had a chance to catch up,” he said.

Johnson says the biggest influence on his basketball career has been head coach Steve Ray.

“He’s always been there for me, and always pushing me to get better,’ Johnson said.

A fan of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbook, Johnson says he enjoys his speed, strength and aggressive play.

To date, Johnson says he has heard from a few schools in Iowa, but has plans to join the Marines after high school.