Johnson of West Point signs with Pearl River CC program

Mitch Bohon has coached some talented baseball players during his time at West Point High School and Oak Hill Academy.

He said Tyrese Johnson is the best player he's ever had.

On Wednesday morning, Johnson of the Green Wave signed to play at the next level for Pearl River Community College.

Bohon said Johnson is just an all-around player that can hit for power, average and has also pitched effectively.

“He has God-given physical gifts,” Bohon said of Johnson.

“He's a special player. Last year, he was coming off an injury where he didn't get to play. He was building off a really strong sophomore year where he hit .380 with seven or eight home runs. He's going to be pumping 90 (miles per hour) on the bump.

“As a coach, there's times you don't realize how special a kid you've got, but then you watch him and you realize he is the best one I've coached so far.”

Johnson had a .380 batting average as a sophomore for West Point with eight home runs, 40 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases. He was 3-2 as a pitcher with a 2.40 earned run average.

He missed his entire junior season due to an injury.

With already a physical build to his body, Johnson said it is his goal to get in the weight room and become stronger and faster.

“I'm focused on having a good spring this year and helping my team make a push in the playoffs,” Johnson said.

Johnson has been committed to the Pearl River Community College program for some time.

It only took one trip to the school based in Poplarville to realize that he wanted to become a Wildcat.

“When I got down there for my visit, I just loved the facilities, the field and the coaches,” Johnson said. “It was just an easy decision.”

Bohon said Johnson is going into a good situation at Pearl River.

The Wildcats are just one year removed from winning the NJCAA national championship in 2022 so there is a strong reputation of success there.

“Coach (Michael) Avalon has done a good job down there,” Bohon said. “He is a great coach. He's good at getting guys to the next level and drafted. His goal is to play professional baseball and I think he's going to achieve that goal.”