Former West Point High School boys’ basketball coach Brad Cox knew Jashun “Peedy” Johnson as a student before he worked with him as a basketball player.
“He was a quiet student,” Cox said. “I watched him grow and develop into a confident young man.”
A senior at West Point, the 18-year-old Johnson died in a one-vehicle accident late Saturday night.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Johnson was driving on Mississippi 373 near Colbert Drive when his car left the highway and flipped multiple times.
Johnson, who was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant pronounced him dead at the scene, the release said.
A 16-year-old female passenger, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated for minor injuries at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, according to MHP.
More than 500 attended a candlelight vigil held Sunday night at Zuber Park.
“Our community lost a confident, caring young man who was going to be a great leader, dad and community member,” Cox said.
Cox taught Johnson in algebra his freshman year. Johnson would then play for Cox three seasons on the varsity basketball team at the school.
“He was very aware of everyone else,” Johnson said. “He always asked how people were and their families.
“He loved basketball. If he wasn’t in the gym he was on the playground. He always had a smile and always had a presence about him.”
Cox left his position as basketball coach at the completion of this season to shift full-time into administration. Earlier in the month, Cox mentioned he would miss his relationships with players. Many players always stayed in contact with their former coach.
“We lost a special person,” Cox said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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