Westover duo signs with Edward Waters

ALBANY — T.K. Johnson and Keyvon Brady have spent years building chemistry on the basketball court.

Neither was ready to walk away from it.

Instead of taking separate paths after helping Westover High School to one of its best seasons in recent memory, the longtime teammates will continue their basketball journey side by side after signing Monday with Edward Waters University.

It was fitting that the ceremony took place inside Westover’s storied “Boston Palace,” a gymnasium that has been home to generations of Patriots. With Westover expected to move into its new gymnasium this fall, Monday’s signing may have marked one of the final celebrations inside the building that helped shape both players.

For Johnson and Brady, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter.

The pair will head to Jacksonville, Fla., to play for the NCAA Division II Tigers, members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The move means the former Patriots will return to Albany as opponents, with Edward Waters competing annually against Albany State.

Johnson developed into one of Westover’s most dangerous offensive players during the Patriots’ 24-3 campaign, averaging nearly 11 points and five rebounds per game. But head coach Dallis Smith said his greatest improvement couldn’t be measured by statistics.

“When T.K. came in, he was a tall, skinny kid, kind of clumsy, but he worked hard,” Smith said. “Every time he got better and better. He caught on quick, and his fast footwork and his unbelievable shooting made him great. His growth was amazing, and I’m definitely going to miss him.”

Brady rarely demanded attention, but he earned the trust of everyone around him.

When an injury sidelined starting point guard Jacob Ross, Brady stepped into the role without hesitation, helping keep the Patriots on track during another successful season.

Smith said Brady exemplified everything a coach hopes to find in a player.

“Brady is one of those guys that leaves everything on the floor,” Smith said. “Every coach wishes they had guys like Brady. He never complained, always ‘yes sir, no sir,’ and did whatever he was asked to do. I’m going to miss you, too.”

Johnson signed alongside his father, Tykessie Johnson, while Brady was joined by his parents, Kiva and Haven Brady Sr. Brady is also the younger brother of undefeated Albany professional boxer Haven Brady Jr.

While both players earned the chance to continue their careers in the SIAC, their destination may surprise some local basketball fans. Neither received an offer from Albany State before committing to Edward Waters, one of the Golden Rams’ conference rivals.