Chase Johnston Leads High Point to Historic NCAA Victory
The high point guard who became a sensation during March Madness made waves with a surprising win on Thursday. He selected the standout jersey number, No. 99, to subtly showcase his faith and represent Christ on the basketball court, even while facing tough competition.
Chase Johnston scored 14 points, with 11 of those coming in the closing five minutes, helping No. 12 High Point overcome No. 5 Wisconsin by a narrow 83-82 margin in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. This victory marked the school’s inaugural win in the tournament.
Johnston hit 4 of his 6 three-point attempts, including a remarkable shot from beyond the logo that reduced Wisconsin’s lead to five with just under five minutes to play. His layup with 11 seconds on the clock clinched the win for High Point, marking his very first two-point basket of the season.
“Chase Johnston hadn’t taken a 2-point shot all season until the layup that ultimately gave High Point the victory,” CBS Sports College Basketball tweeted.
“It felt so good,” Johnston later shared.
Following the game, an enthusiastic Johnston told TBS, “First and foremost, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s been an incredible season. We serve each other, we love each other, and we are willing to die for each other. We are truly grateful.”
Interestingly, he had even written a significant verse, Acts 20:24, on the bottom of his shoe.
The 6-foot-3 senior averaged only 6.4 points per game as a secondary player during the regular season but transformed into a crucial player on this unforgettable Thursday. He switched his jersey number from 2 to 99 in the offseason as a reflection of his faith.
“It has everything to do with Jesus leaving 99 and finding one,” Johnston explained in another interview. “I thought maybe 99 was a good way to share the gospel.”
“This number stands out. Not many people wear it, which was the point. There are two parables in the Bible about a shepherd who leaves behind 99 sheep to find the one that is lost. The joy of finding that one is greater than that of the 99 left behind. We are all sinners, and Jesus Christ died for our sins.”
High Point G Chase Johnston, who scored the game-winning shot against Wisconsin, wears jersey number 99, symbolizing the Parable of the Lost Sheep, where Jesus seeks out the one lost sheep.
William Johnston remarked, “My number 99 represents our call as Christians to reach out and spread the gospel, reminding everyone that Christ died for us.”
After the game, he renewed focus on his beliefs, tweeting that High Point was “truly a team built on” the message of John 15:13, emphasizing sacrifice and love, as exemplified by Jesus, who laid down his life for others.
