Clemson picks up ex-Southern Cal recruit Johnson

CLEMSON — Former Southern California basketball signee Noel Johnson has agreed to play at Clemson.

The 6-6 forward from Fayette County (Ga.) High School had signed with the Trojans last fall. However, he was granted a release from his letter of intent in May. Southern Cal coach Tim Floyd resigned earlier this month and was replaced by Kevin O'Neill.

Johnson averaged 23.8 points and 8.4 rebounds last season.He joins a group of incoming freshman considered the best since coach Oliver Purnell arrived after the 2003 season. The Tigers had previously signed 6-9 McDonald's All-American forward Milton Jennings from Pinewood Prep; 6-8 Devin Booker, the younger brother of Tigers senior star Trevor Booker; and 6-5 guard Donte Hill.

Junior golf

Austin Cody of North Charleston earned medalist honors in local qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur on Monday at Woodside Plantation in Aiken, shooting 70-72—143. Cody, a rising senior at Pinewood Prep, qualified for the 2008 U.S. Junior in Shoal Creek, Ala. Cody beat Cody Proveaux of Leesville by one shot.

Damon Postal of Blythewood (144) and Sam Jackson III of Pelion (145) also earned spots.

The U.S. Junior will be played July 20-25 at Trump National in Bedminster, N.J., with the qualifiers playing two rounds of stroke play and the top 64 earning spots in match play.

--Katie Rose Higgins, a rising senior at First Baptist, is the first alternate after shooting 38-38—76 in qualifying at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, N.C., for next month's U.S. Girls' Junior Championship. The national tournament is set for July 20-25 at Trump National in Bedminster, N.J. Seven players earned spots in the tournament. The only South Carolina player to qualify was Austin Ernst of Seneca.