A 1971 graduate of Deshler High School Johnny was excellent in both basketball and baseball. He was selected to the All-State Basketball Team in 1971 and was All-Quad Cities Most Valuable Player. He played shortstop and pitcher in baseball and was the winning picture in the State Championship game in 1968. During his senior year he was the MVP in the East-West All-Star basrball game.

 

Johnny signed a basketball scholarship with the University of Alabama  following high school where he played on two SEC Championship teams and was a team captain in 1975.