Calumet’s Johnnie Hudson IV scores 48 points
Johnnie Hudson IV of Calumet was in such a zone that he believed he had eclipsed the half-century mark.
In fact, the 6-foot-5 senior guard/forward had scored 48 points. But he broke the Warriors’ single-game record, which had stood for more than half a century.
“It actually means a lot because I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it,” Hudson IV said. “In this match, I felt like everything was going well. I thought I had over 50. But 48 is still good for me.”
Hudson IV’s scoring record, which surpassed the previous record of 45 points from 1967, included the game-winning basket as time expired in the Warriors’ 80-79 overtime victory over Calumet Christian on Monday and was among the highlights of his stellar season.
Hudson IV, who is averaging 25.3 points, a team-high 6.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and a team-high 1.8 blocked shots, then scored 30 points in Calumet’s 55-51 Greater South Shore Conference loss to Illiana Christian on Thursday to surpass 1,000 in her career.
This is only Hudson IV’s third season of organized basketball. He was waived as a freshman at Avon, then moved to live with his father, Johnnie Hudson III, who is in his 10th season as an assistant for the Warriors (4-14, 2-5).
Clearly, Hudson IV has grown since his sophomore debut, including literally. He’s over an inch taller this season. He also ranks eighth in the state in scoring, according to MaxPreps, after averaging 10.1 points and 4.4 rebounds as a sophomore and 15.5 points and 7.9 rebounds as a junior.
“It’s just confidence and discipline and working night after night, getting to the gym two hours before everyone else with morning workouts, staying consistent,” Hudson IV said.
“It’s just about staying grounded, disciplined, and coach holds me accountable to being the leader. I know I’m an extension of him, so I always try to motivate my teammates. Even though we’ve lost more than we’d like this season, I always try to keep them engaged and involved.”
Calumet coach Aaron Mercer isn’t exactly surprised by Hudson IV’s success.
“What makes him special to me is he’s the first one in the gym, he’s the last one to leave,” Mercer said. “He comes in and makes hundreds of shots before our games. It’s not a coincidence the way he plays. He prepares for it. It’s not, ‘He’s just there and it happens.'”
This made a strong impression on Hudson IV’s teammates.
“He’s definitely a leader,” Mercer said. “He tells the kids things, and they’re receptive to it. He tells them what they’re doing wrong and they listen because they see how hard he works. You start getting other kids to come in and do the work. They see the results. It’s not by mistake.”
Mercer said Hudson IV, the team’s only captain after sharing that role last season with standout point guard Eric Allen, has influenced players such as senior guard Colby Williams with his approach.
“I’m proud of him,” Williams said of Hudson IV. “I feel like I can’t do anything but applaud. Every big game he plays, I just give him a round of applause. He’s taught me so much. Just being around him from my sophomore year to my senior year, he’s taught me so much about the game, about sportsmanship, everything.
“He’s definitely a great player, a great all-around player. He does everything.”
Colleges have started to take notice. Hudson IV received an offer from Calumet College in December and other schools are eyeing him.
“He’s got some college looks, and he’ll have more before time’s out,” Mercer said. “This is only his third year in organized football. His potential is very high.
“They’re smaller schools at the moment, but we’ll see. There’s definitely been interest from some Division I schools. He’s a top student. He’s got no issues. There’s a lot to like about him.”
Hudson IV said the recruiting process is “slow right now,” but he likes the direction it’s headed.
“I’m proud of myself and the accolades I receive,” he said. “But I just tell myself, ‘I have to keep working and doing the same work, doing the same plans that I am doing.’
“I try to keep my name in the conversation and get it out there so I can get more exposure.”
