Local Sports Highlights: Learn, Adjust and Succeed

Many young athletes today are encouraged to “specialize” in one sport. Pick your favorite sport, dedicate yourself to it and play it every day, year round. But Cam Johnson decided he would be missing out on things he loved if he went that route, so he decided to travel three roads instead of one and has found athletic happiness and satisfaction during his still-young journey.

Still only a junior, the Allen Park student-athlete has enjoyed scoring touchdowns, hitting three-point shots from the corner and rounding the bases after a home run. Sports is for fun, and Johnson has found a way to triple his enjoyment as a Jaguar.

“I started playing football, basketball, and baseball at a young age and have always enjoyed playing all three,” he said. “Playing other sports challenges me mentally and physically and helps prepare me for the next season.”

Johnson’s desire to play baseball was influenced by his father.

“Since I was young, I have looked up to my dad, who played Division 1 baseball for Coastal Carolina University,” he said. “I have always wanted to follow in his footsteps, playing baseball at the next level.”

During the summer, Johnson plays for a highly competitive travel baseball showcase team (D-backs Elite 17u). They play against some of the best talent in the country and it’s a great way to show off his skills on the diamond.

He certainly showed off his skills on the gridiron this past fall for the Jaguars, where he played slot receiver and cornerback. He had 28 total tackles, six interceptions and eight pass breakups on defense and had 21 catches, six touchdowns, and 283 receiving yards on offense and earned First Team All-Region, All League, All Downriver Dream Team, and All-Metro West Second Team.

Johnson has spent his winter months on the hardwood with the Allen Park varsity basketball team. And he’s enjoying every minute of it.

“We have a very talented basketball team this year and we have a good shot at winning a district title (in March),” he said.

And, of course, he can’t wait for baseball.

“Since my freshman year, our team has had a solid young core that has been playing together for a long time,” he said. “Now, as upperclassmen and leaders of the team, our goals have stayed the same as the upperclassmen before us. To win the Downriver League, make a long run in the playoffs, leave the program better than we found it, and create great memories in the process.”

Cam, 17, is the son of Casey Johnson, Candice Johnson and Christina Forth, and scores a 3.92 GPA in the classroom. He hopes to play at least one sport in college and get an education. But right now he’s busy juggling his three sports and keeping up those impressive grades – which isn’t always easy.

“Juggling practice hours with time-sensitive homework can be hectic, but it is what I love doing,” he said. “My philosophy is to keep my priorities straight and be the best I can be at whatever I am working at. In addition, having younger siblings, I try to be the best role model possible so they can see that hard work and determination pay off so that one day they can reach their own goals.”