2008 Woodie Awards
Johnson's shooting vital to Mavericks' success
by Nia Jonesz
Issue date: 2/7/08
Section: Womens Sports
Shooting isn't everything in a basketball game, but for this season's Minnesota State women's team it sure seems like it.
When MSU is shooting well they not only win games, they stun opponents and break records. During five games of the season, MSU has scored 100 points or more and 14 of the team's 16 wins this season have been won by at least ten points.
But for every three impressive games, there is a game like the first meeting between MSU and North Dakota, one which slips through the Mavericks' otherwise capable hands because the shots aren't going in. The scenario has become familiar for MSU during a recent string of three loses and a drop in the rankings to No. 24 in the nation.
When the Mavericks are on, they appear unstoppable, but as a team they struggle with consistency in their shooting from game to game.
That's where junior guard Heather Johnson comes in.
So far this season Johnson's shooting has been nothing but 'on.' In fact, Johnson has been the points leader in more than half of the Mavericks' 21 games played. She averages 16.5 points per game and leads the team with 347 points overall. Johnson also averages .502 percent from the field, .434 percent of three pointers and a solid .903 percent at the free throw line.
The pressure of contributing such a pivotal part to MSU's game hasn't gotten to Johnson.
"I feel confident knowing that if I get shut down, other players will step up and take that role," Johnson said.
It's not just within her own team that Johnson's shooting stands out. She also comes in second for total points scored in the North Central Conference, topped only by South Dakota senior Jeana Hoffman's 363 points. The NCC has hailed Johnson as its player of the week twice already this season.
"Heather is more than one dimensional," said coach Fish. "She has done an outstanding job both offensively and defensively."
This isn't the first season in which Johnson has established herself as a presence on the court. During the 2005-2006 season she scored in double digits during six games, tied for the team lead in three pointers made and banked 141 points in the 23 games she saw action. The next season, Johnson finished second on the team in both total points and average points per game.
Johnson's shooting and aggressive play put her on par to deliver the best season of her career. The Pepsi tip off tournament was MSU's first real test as a team and Johnson showed early signs of a remarkable season even then when she was named the tournament's most valuable player. Since then, Johnson's speed and scoring have helped keep the Mavericks head above water in many close games. She scored a career high 31 points against Central Missouri, and more recently managed 18 points in a tough loss against undefeated USD.
The next challenge for Johnson will be to continue her solid shooting, when MSU battles Minnesota-Duluth 6 p.m. tonight. The last time the two teams met this season the Mavericks edged out a 69-65 victory.
Nia Jonesz is a Reporter assistant news editor
When MSU is shooting well they not only win games, they stun opponents and break records. During five games of the season, MSU has scored 100 points or more and 14 of the team's 16 wins this season have been won by at least ten points.
But for every three impressive games, there is a game like the first meeting between MSU and North Dakota, one which slips through the Mavericks' otherwise capable hands because the shots aren't going in. The scenario has become familiar for MSU during a recent string of three loses and a drop in the rankings to No. 24 in the nation.
When the Mavericks are on, they appear unstoppable, but as a team they struggle with consistency in their shooting from game to game.
That's where junior guard Heather Johnson comes in.
So far this season Johnson's shooting has been nothing but 'on.' In fact, Johnson has been the points leader in more than half of the Mavericks' 21 games played. She averages 16.5 points per game and leads the team with 347 points overall. Johnson also averages .502 percent from the field, .434 percent of three pointers and a solid .903 percent at the free throw line.
The pressure of contributing such a pivotal part to MSU's game hasn't gotten to Johnson.
"I feel confident knowing that if I get shut down, other players will step up and take that role," Johnson said.
It's not just within her own team that Johnson's shooting stands out. She also comes in second for total points scored in the North Central Conference, topped only by South Dakota senior Jeana Hoffman's 363 points. The NCC has hailed Johnson as its player of the week twice already this season.
"Heather is more than one dimensional," said coach Fish. "She has done an outstanding job both offensively and defensively."
This isn't the first season in which Johnson has established herself as a presence on the court. During the 2005-2006 season she scored in double digits during six games, tied for the team lead in three pointers made and banked 141 points in the 23 games she saw action. The next season, Johnson finished second on the team in both total points and average points per game.
Johnson's shooting and aggressive play put her on par to deliver the best season of her career. The Pepsi tip off tournament was MSU's first real test as a team and Johnson showed early signs of a remarkable season even then when she was named the tournament's most valuable player. Since then, Johnson's speed and scoring have helped keep the Mavericks head above water in many close games. She scored a career high 31 points against Central Missouri, and more recently managed 18 points in a tough loss against undefeated USD.
The next challenge for Johnson will be to continue her solid shooting, when MSU battles Minnesota-Duluth 6 p.m. tonight. The last time the two teams met this season the Mavericks edged out a 69-65 victory.
Nia Jonesz is a Reporter assistant news editor
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