Page and Johnson reach 1,000 career points, Trojans dominate GSC rankings in first season

By Parker Henningsen

Staff Writer

The men’s basketball team broke the school record this season for the most assists in one game and has had top-five rankings in 23 categories out of 35 in their first year in the GSC conference. 

The men’s basketball team had 29 assists against Welch College, breaking the previous record of 25 (2015-16 and 17-18). The team is also third in offensive scoring, field-goal percentage (FG%), 3-point FG%, 3-point FGs made, free-throw (FT) percentage, assist-turnover percentage, third overall in the GSC, and fourth in combined team rebounds. 

The team has also achieved several individual accomplishments. Four players are ranked in the top 50 in the GSC in nine categories, with eight of those being top-five. Jalen Page and Jakari Johnson, both seniors, have surpassed the 1,000-career-points mark, as well as earning player of the week honors. 

Page surpassed 1,000 points and earned GSC Player of the Week in December 2024. He is currently leading the GSC in scoring and is ranked 22nd in scoring in the NCAA Division II men’s league. 

“It’s not even about that really. I mean, we just come in here and try and prepare and get what we need to win. That’s the biggest thing, and I’m going to score points to do that,” said Page. 

Page is a top-three shooter in the GSC, having the third-most 3-pointers made in a single game (6) and is fourth in most points scored in one game at 32 points. He averages three 3-pointers a game. 

“I prepare every day for it. I know what it takes, and I try and be great every day. People challenge me every day to be a better Jalen, and I challenge myself too,” said Page. 

Johnson surpassed 1,000 points last Thursday and is the current GSC Player of the Week. He is also ranked fifth in scoring in the GSC. 

“It feels good knowing that I can produce at this level,” said Johnson. “I can’t take credit; I give the credit to God and my coaching staff.”

Johnson is 42nd in NCAA Division II for scoring and is ranked second in 3-point field-goal percentage. 

“It’s a lot of shots I take behind the scenes with my coaching staff,” said Johnson. “It feels good to see that the work is paying off.”

Mateo Esmeraldo, a sophomore, holds the GSC records for most career assists and the best assist-turnover ratio. 

“Assists are a two-person thing. My job is to give [our shooters] the ball when and where they want it, and they handle the rest,” said Esmeraldo. “It’s very easy when the guys around you are high-level shooters.”

Esmeraldo is in his first year at Trevecca after transferring from Longwood University. 

“Coach Carrol told me, when I transferred here, that we would have a lot of shooters around me.,” said Esmeraldo. “It’s really easy for me to come down [the court] and find the right guy at the right time.”

Caleb Terry is the fourth Trojan to be ranked in the top five. Terry has the third-most blocks in the GSC. 

“It’s a lot of fun. It is just being in position and getting set up,” said Terry. 

Terry, in his fifth season, has always been a team player. 

“The past couple of years have been great. The team comradery is awesome to be a part of,” said Terry. “We get along great, and out on the court, it really shows,” said Caleb. 

The team will soon wrap up its second year in the “Kevin Carrol era,” according to tnutrojans.com. 

“It’s amazing what these guys have done, but they are great kids who come to work every day, and they keep a positive mindset,” said head coach Kevin Carrol. “They support each other and have made my job a lot easier this year.”