Elkhorn’s Johnson has unfinished business; East Troy’s Vukovich dominates down low
By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Elkhorn Area High School’s Jordan Johnson knew he would be good on the basketball court this season.
Johnson is the All-Southern Lakes Newspapers Co-Player of the Year for the newspaper chain’s boys basketball team.
Johnson, a junior, and East Troy’s AJ Vukovich are sharing Player of the Year honors. Editors and staff could not reach consensus on a single Player of the Year, and did not want to slight either player.
Johnson played sparingly for the Elks last season, which is to say he hardly played at all on varsity. He averaged six points per game.
“Last year, I was the youngest guy on the team,” Johnson said. “I had to learn my role and play and learn from the other guys. I knew I was going to come out strong this year. I was ready.”
This season, Johnson helped lead the Elks to a 21-4 record and a share of the Southern Lakes Conference title. The Elks also won a regional title, and advanced to within a game of the WIAA Division 2 state tournament before play was halted due to concerns over coronavirus..
Coach Josh Skatrud said Johnson led the Elks to several wins due to his explosiveness on offense.
“He’s very difficult to guard, due to his shooting ability and his ability to attack the basket,” Skatrud said. “He’s a fearless player who will not back down.”
Vukovich, 18, of Mukwonago, helped lead the state-ranked Trojans to a regional final and earned WBCA Division 3 all-state honors and his second straight Rock Valley Conference player of the year honor in the process.
Vukovich is also a Division 1 baseball commit to the University of Louisville.
“Obviously he is a special athlete,” said East Troy head coach Darryl Rayfield. “AJ’s true selfless ability to be happy about team success is what I will remember about him as a person.”
Elks head coach Josh Skatrud was named Coach of the Year.
Mike Ramczyk contributed to this story.
Read full coverage of the all-area boys basketball team in Southern Lakes Newspapers throughout the area including Elkhorn and East Troy.
