Carthage’s Johnson and Djurickovic Capture Top CCIW Honors

NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) has announced its All-CCIW selections for the basketball season, with several Carthage College student-athletes earning recognition.

Ryan Johnson was named the CCIW Fred Young Most Outstanding Student-Athlete, marking the first time Carthage has received the honor since 2011 and the sixth in program history. Johnson was also a unanimous All-CCIW First Team selection after averaging 14.6 points and a conference-leading 9.2 rebounds per game. The Oswego, Ill., native posted season highs of 26 points against Wisconsin-Whitewater and 16 rebounds versus Spalding, tying a CCIW-best. A three-time CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week, Johnson recorded nine double-doubles this season. He was also last year's CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year.

Head coach Steve Djurickovic earned his first CCIW Coach of the Year honor after leading Carthage to a 20-5 overall record and a 14-2 mark in conference play. Under his leadership, the Firebirds secured their first outright CCIW regular-season title since 2010 and set a program record for conference wins. Carthage ranked 11th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (30.2) and 14th in free throw percentage (77.1), while leading the conference in free throw percentage and ranking second in both scoring (79.7 points per game) and total rebounds (38.3 per game). Djurickovic becomes the fourth coach in program history to win the award and the first since his father, Bosko Djurickovic, in 2017.

AJ Johnson joined Ryan Johnson as a unanimous All-CCIW First Team selection after leading the Firebirds in scoring with 16.2 points per game. Johnson, also from Oswego, Ill., ranked fifth in the conference in scoring, first in free throw percentage (89.9), and fourth in three-point shooting (42.0%). Johnson posted season highs of 32 points, 12 free throws, and six three-pointers against IIT, while also registering a season-best nine rebounds and seven assists against Wheaton (Ill.). A two-time CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week, Johnson scored 20 or more points in seven games this season.

Riley Brooks earned All-CCIW Second Team honors after averaging 15.2 points per game. The sophomore from Ripon, Wis., ranked seventh in the conference in scoring and eighth in three-pointers per game (2.1). Brooks recorded season highs of 29 points and 12 field goals against Illinois Wesleyan, 11 rebounds versus North Central (Ill.), and four assists against North Park. Named CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week on Dec. 9, Brooks posted six 20-point games and notched a double-double against North Central on Jan. 15.

AJ Williams was selected as Carthage's CCIW RESPECT Award winner, an honor recognizing student-athletes who exemplify outstanding character, inclusiveness, and a positive team culture. Williams, from Chicago, Ill., started all 25 games for the Firebirds, recording season highs of 17 points against Ripon and eight rebounds versus Elmhurst. He scored in double figures 14 times, including the final four games of the regular season.

Carthage will host the CCIW Tournament, with the Firebirds returning to action on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#15 AJ Johnson: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#10 Ryan Johnson: G/F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#4 AJ Williams: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#11 Riley Brooks: G; 6' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#15 AJ Johnson
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#10 Ryan Johnson
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: G/F

#4 AJ Williams
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#11 Riley Brooks
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: G