In the quiet gym of Coronado High School, the echoes of sneakers on polished wood carry the story of a boys basketball team finding its rhythm. At the center of it all stands Loxly Johnson, the Islanders’ six-foot senior guard.
In basketball, players are often confined to traditional roles: the tallest man dominates near the rim while guards and wings patrol the perimeter, passing, dribbling and firing long-range shots.
Johnson transcends these boundaries. And, says head coach Anthony Ott, “He’s been an integral part of [the team’s] success.”
Whether driving to the basket, sinking outside shots, or orchestrating plays with a sense of timing and precision, he adapts seamlessly to any role.
His court vision is uncanny — anticipating teammates’ movements before they even make them, sending passes exactly where they need to be.
According to MaxPreps, Johnson is currently ranked eighth in scoring in CIF’s San Diego Section, averaging 21.8 points per game (PPG). He is ninth in assists per game (4.3) and holds the 70th spot among California’s top free-throw scorers.
Since moving from the Bronx to Coronado during his sophomore year, Johnson has brought a mix of skill, resilience and leadership to a team striving to regain its footing in a challenging season, Ott said.
A Bronx beginning
Growing up in New York, Johnson honed his basketball skills under the watchful eye of his father. Mornings at the neighborhood park were a ritual: shooting drills, stretches and advice that went beyond the game.
His father instilled in him the discipline and work ethic that now define his play.
This past summer, Johnson returned to New York City’s northernmost borough to visit his dad, reuniting with his roots and refining his game for what he hopes will be a championship-winning season.
“It was challenging at first to get used to the people and environment,” Johnson admitted about his move to Coronado, “but everyone has been very welcoming, and it started to become home because of my teammates and coaches.”
That sense of belonging has translated to the court, where Johnson has emerged as the team’s leader in points, PPG and blocks per game.
The season so far
In a season marked by turbulence — a record of 8-11 and sitting at sixth place in the city league — Johnson remains a steady and resilient force. The team weathered a punishing six-game losing streak between Dec. 17 and Dec. 30, a stretch during which Johnson himself was sidelined for five games, battling pneumonia.
“The team has a chance to make playoffs and win CIF,” he said. “We are a high enough seed to make it. We all just have to buy in and get more comfortable.”
His highlight of the season: A 40-point game against Patrick Henry on Dec. 6 that electrified the crowd and pushed the team to overtime.
Johnson credits his teammates and coaches for his success. “Every day, they push me to be the best version of myself,” he said.
Yet, ever the perfectionist, he acknowledges having room for improvement. “I need to work on my playmaking and putting my teammates in positions where they can excel.”
The drive to win
Johnson’s aspirations for his final high school season are clear: to lead Coronado to a CIF championship and leave a lasting legacy.
“We’re not the tallest team, but we’re fast and scrappy. Our chemistry and hard work are what make us a threat,” he said.
After the Islanders lost against Mira Mesa (48-62) on Jan.17, Johnson is focused on breaking a three-game losing streak.
“Defense comes first,” he said. “It can turn a bad offensive game into something positive and lead to easier buckets.”
Beyond CHS
Looking ahead, Johnson dreams of playing college basketball.
His idols — LeBron James, Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — inspire his style of play, with James admired for his poise on and off the court, Brunson for his footwork as the New York Knicks’ point guard and Gilgeous-Alexander for the unshakeable calm he brings to the game.
As his senior year unfolds, Johnson said he hopes to leave behind more than just records.
“I want to see a banner in the gym for a [California Interscholastic Federation] CIF championship,” he said. “I want to inspire my teammates to be better and create moments we’ll all remember.”
