By Alfonso Rivera
Keyanna Johnson led the basketball team to a season filled with firsts. The Huskies made the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years.
In addition, they also hosted two playoff games and won them both. The team ended their storybook season with a record of 24-7 overall. A big reason for these accomplishments was the stellar play of Johnson, the First Team, All-State California Community College Athletic Association selection.
According to coach Bruce Turner, the guard was the undisputed leader of the squad. “Keyanna is a very hard worker and leads by example. She is very motivated and encouraging to the rest of her teammates. All of these awards that I have received are a reflection of the girls and their perseverance and great attitude on the court. They deserve all the credit, and they are the ones that step on the floor,” Turner said.
Turner pointed out that Johnson works full time from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., came to practice from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and went to class from 6:50 to 10 p.m. “This shows a lot about her character, determination and drive,” Turner said.
In the midst of all these obstacles, Johnson has managed to maintain great charisma and continue excelling on the court and in the classroom. Johnson is being heavily recruited due to her standout season.
Among the schools that are interested in Johnson are California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Los Angeles, Grand Canyon University, Notre Dame de Namur University and San Francisco State University. “All I want to do is go to school and play ball. I feel that I am ready to move on to the next level,” Johnson said.
Johnson is an excellent three-point shooter and a very creative passer. She was named Most Valuable Player of the Mendocino and Cypress tournaments. She was also All-Tournament in the Saddleback and San Francisco Community College Tournaments.
In high school, Johnson was a four-year letter winner at Hesperia High School. She led the Scorpions to back-to-back Mojave River League Championships in 2004-2005.
She was also a two-time, First Team All-Mojave River League selection and team captain for her junior and senior year. Johnson helped lead the Scorpions to the semifinals in her sophomore year and quarterfinals in her junior year. She was also a First Team All-California Interscholastic Federation Selection, and member of the All-San Bernardino County First Team in the 2004-05 seasons.
In college Johnson was named to the South Coast Conference First Team and led the conference in scoring with 18.1 points per game and 142 steals. On Feb. 10, Johnson also scored the most single points by any individual player in a SCC game when she dropped 40 points on Mt. San Antonio College. That was the only loss Mt. SAC suffered in conference play all season, 77-71.
Johnson said, “I am just proud to be a part of turning a program around here at ELAC.” Turner emphasized how much Johnson meant to the team. “She was the rock of the team. She made us go: the energizer bunny,” Turner said.