Harvey and Johnson Signs to Holmes CC

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Vicksburg High School star basketball players Cynia Johnson and Zion Harvey have decided to stick together after this year, with both of them signing with Holmes Community College on Wednesday. 

Johnson and Harvey have both been the bread & butter of the Missy Gators’ organization as they are still in the race for a state title under Head Coach Troy Stewart. 

“It’s always exciting when we get someone to sign,” Stewart said. “I’ve been fortunate that we’ve had someone sign every year but I’m Prokofiev them and I know they’ll do great where they’re going.”

Zion:

Harvey has been commanding all season where she is averaging nearly 30 points per game. She is currently off a fresh 30-point performance against Center Hill where she rocked the house.

Zion was first recruited by Holmes CC late last year by Assistant Coach Brooke Walker who has since passed away. She decided to stick with the program that she felt most comfortable with after a great visit.

“The visit I took went really well and they made me feel right at home,” Harvey said. 

Zion testified that one of her most memorable games was against Neshoba Central when the Missy Gators won 63-60. She scored 23 points in that game, and just a couple of weeks later she would score a career-high 37 points against Columbus.

Zion is currently averaging 27 points per game and six assists.

Harvey chose Holmes CC. over Fort Scott CC., Co-Lin, Mississippi Delta CC., and Jones College. She thanked her support system for sticking with her throughout her playing career.

“I want to thank my friends, family, Jae’la Smith, Coach Casey, and Coach Stewart for everything,” she added.

Harvey is the daughter of Kimani Ratliff and Kathryn Trueheart.

Cynia:

Johnson strictly handles business inside the paint this year which easily granted her the opportunity to play ball on the next level. Signing with Holmes gives Cynia the chance to play alongside Harvey and continue to shine on the court.

“They made me feel like I would be a big part of the program, and I feel like I can do a lot for the team next season,” Johnson said.

Johnson was also recruited by Walker back in October after she caught the eye of the program. If Johnson wasn’t scoring, she was definitely rebounding as she is putting up 23 points per game and snatching an impressive 16 rebounds.

When it comes to making memories, Cynia testified that beating Florence 51-48 was one of the best times she experienced at VHS.

“Florence beat Neshoba so I knew that gave us a big chance to beat them as well so I was really excited when we won,” she added.

Although she’s dominating in her senior year, Cynia’s best performances came last year against Forest Hill and Horn Lake where she scored 30 points in both of those games.

Cynia is the daughter of former VHS basketball player Marguerite Sims and Jackson State University Assistant Coach Trey Johnson. She thanked her family, coaches and teammates for never leaving her side.

Although Harvey and Johnson have solidified their future, they still have more work to do as VHS will travel to MVSU on Friday to face Olive Branch in the second round of the playoffs.