Tarius Johnson, Brett Barry, Kayla Beaver, Carita Cole and Davon DeMoss are scheduled for induction into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame, when the 40^th annual event is held at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

Terry Smith will be the recipient of the 2026 Billy Schrivner Distinguished Service Award.

Golden Media Group visited with Tarius Johnson for a Question & Answer session about his induction.

Question: First, a little background information – family, education, career?

Answer: My family, wife Jasmine Johnson, daughter Jada Johnson, son, Titus. My mother is Jackie Johnson, and my father is Fenix Johnson. I have two brothers – Marcus and Kalan Johnson.

I graduated from Liberty Tech and attended Three Rivers Community College. I graduated with an Associate of Art degree. I attended Eastern Kentucky University where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management.

 I (also) graduated from the Rutherford County Teach Now RTN program where I obtained my Teachers License in Business, and I worked in banking for eight years as a Universal Banker/Relationship Banker, before I became a teacher and coach at Station Camp High school for two years.

Now, I’m teaching and I’m the boy’s head basketball coach at Chester County High School.

Question: What were your thoughts when you first learned you had been selected for induction into the 2026 Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame?

Answer: Very honored. I reminisced over my basketball career and moments of adversity that I overcame and thought to myself, “Man I worked hard!! and was proud to receive the call. I have been very blessed to have a successful basketball career but you never expect or wait on a call like that – so I am just very appreciative of the honor.

Question: In all fairness, considering your accomplishments, we don’t know where to start. You played basketball at Liberty High School for four years. Outside of being a member of the 2006 Crusaders 3-A State Champions, can you name a few individual honors you received and what was the motivation to play basketball?

Answer: I received multiple MVP (most valuable player) awards and first team awards in my career. I was rewarded with being on the All-American High school basketball team my senior year.

My jersey was retired last year from Liberty Tech along with being the number two all-time leading scorer in Liberty Tech history.

Question: You signed to play college basketball at Three Rivers Community College where you finished your career as the seventh leading scorer in school history with 1,234 points. When other schools took notice, your recruiting process started all over again.

Would you name a few of the schools who were interested?

Answer: Clemson, Wright State, Belmont, Murray State, UT Martin, Tulsa, Austin Peay, UC Riverside, Tulane, Missouri State, and Eastern Kentucky University.

Question: How did you decide on Eastern Kentucky University, and would you talk about the experience and a few accomplishments?

Answer: I really appreciated the atmosphere and great energy when I came on a visit.

The players who were already on the team were very welcoming and seemed like down to earth cool guys who could also play! Winning and being a part of winning was also tops on my ‘gotta have list’ with my next school.

My Head Coach Jeff Neubauer made a house visit to my mom’s house also, which was the icing on the cake. I really felt wanted and valued.

I had a great experience at EKU. I grew in many ways on and off the court. We won a lot of big games. We won the OVC (Ohio Valley Conference) championship my senior year, and (participated) in the NCAA tournament.

There was also being part of the all-OVC team. I started at Eastern Kentucky while being a Captain both years, as well.

Question: You stayed in the game, and you are coaching boys’ basketball at Chester County High School. Why did you decide on coaching and what is the experience like?

Answer: Yeah. Coaching brings me a lot of different feelings. It’s so much more than the sport itself and winning games for me, but the fact that I have this big influence on these kids and building a relationship with these guys is so rewarding. I take the position as a role model and hold my players accountable now – so that way – when their life takes off they are ready to fly.

Question: Would you give us an idea of what you will speak about when you are inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Answer: Showing thanks to family and friends and just simply staying true to self and who the Lord made me to be.

For tickets and reservations for the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame event, call Beth Sedberry (731) 616-8558.

(PHOTO: Tarius Johnson)