Longtime Johnson HC Vern Simmons honored at Alumni Day game

Prep Scene

Recently retired boys’ basketball coach Vern Simmons, who led St. Paul Johnson High School’s boys’ basketball team for 20 years, was honored at halftime of the Governor’s 61-60 non-conference victory over Minnehaha Academy on February 4. The victory capped off a special Alumni Day at the high school, located on the East Side of St. Paul.

The annual alumni game featured former Johnson players—all of whom played for Simmons—who competed for bragging rights.

Team Black was led by alums Donnell Gibson (2004), Sammy Ricks (2006), Freddy Coleman (2006), Demetrius Smith (2006), and Sal Simmons (2007). Team White included Lamar Anderson (2009), Dion Young-Suggs (2009), Demitri Conwell (2010), Anthony Lee (2011), Mitchell McDonald (2014)—no relation to this columnist—and Jesse Foster (2020). Team White captured the victory with a baseline buzzer-beating jumper by McDonald.

After Minnehaha Academy scored wins with its C-squad and junior varsity, the varsity teams squared off. With Minnehaha leading 27-26 at halftime, Simmons joined his players at midcourt to accept an award. Not one to seek individual accolades, the retired St. Paul police officer honored his players.

“I didn’t score one point, grab one rebound, block one shot or get one steal,” he said. “They did,” he continued. “They deserve all of the credit.”

After halftime, a back-and-forth second half ended with freshman center Kenny Turner’s reverse layup with 12 seconds remaining, which gave Johnson the lead for good. The victory made Simmons’ recognition even more special. 

Under Simmons, who coached from 2000-2020, the Governors had one of the best runs in state history. He led them to 15 St. Paul City Conference championships, nine state tournament appearances, and five Twin City championships.

His best year came in 2010, when he led Johnson (with players Maxie Rosenbloom, Demetri Conwell, Estan Tyler, Roosevelt Scott, Marcus Marshall, Anthony Lee, Chris Smith-Bond, Donte Warlick, Prince Williams, Jordan Pluff, Xavier Henry, and Xavier Black) to a 32-0 record and a Class 3A state tournament championship, using an 11-man rotation.

“We wanted to recognize him in this setting because the people here couldn’t attend his [Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association] Hall of Fame induction,” Johnson Head Coach Colin Moore said of the October event. “We wanted to recognize one of our own and show Vern our appreciation for all he has done for the school, the student-athletes, and community.”