BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Erica Johnson is back in her comfort
zone.
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Sudbury's Erica Johnson took a
year off last season to concentrate on her studies, but
her will to compete never faded away. |
After a season away from the Laurentian
University women's basketball team, Johnson is back and
resuming her Ontario University Athletics (OUA) career with the
Lady Vees.
Johnson, born and raised in Sudbury, took a
year off last season to concentrate on her studies , but her
will to compete never faded away. Now she's back to help
guide the team into the playoffs, and hopefully to an Ontario
championship.
"It turned out to be a bit boring," said
Johnson, talking about being away from the game she loves to
concentrate solely on studies. "I spent time hanging out with
friends...sleeping a lot and a lot of other non-productive
activities. It's good times for a few months then
you're like 'OK now what?'"
Johnson admits she went through a severe case
of basketball withdrawal as the game flowed through
Johnson's veins for nine years without a
break.
It was a big part of her life and she quickly
realized her passion for the sport had not diminished at all
after spending a few months away.
"What it boiled down to was I couldn't
think of any good reasons not to come back," said Johnson. "The
pro/cons list was lacking cons. Being a Lady Vee again puts me
back in my comfort zone. The program is run so well and we have
the greatest fans. I love playing in front of my family
and
friends...it's such a rush."
Her basketball skills on the court aside,
Johnson knows she makes her mark on the team with her
character.
"I think I can help the team by keeping
everyone composed in tight situations, keeping the energy up
and making sure everyone is having fun and being crazy
competitive at the same time," said Johnson. "I'm fairly
good at making things happen under pressure, which should help
in close games."
Despite being away from the game for a year,
Johnson stayed fit by exercising and eating right.
"Nothing fancy," she said.
Lady Vees head coach Mike Clarke more than
welcomed Johnson back to the fold, especially after the
graduation of core veterans Tierney Hoo,
Brianne Henry, Caitlin Blackadder and Kate
Walker.
"Erica brings us a talented point guard who
is very creative in both passing and looking for her shot,"
said Clarke. "She can create her own shot virtually any time
she wants and is an excellent ball handler. Erica adds another
scoring option, which may have been a weak point.
"Erica is very savvy and has a lot of
confideince. She's one of those players who wants the ball
at the end of a game and feels she can make the right decision
to win."
Johnson has an unorthodox shot, which makes
her hard to defend against, and she will be a pivotal piece in
the Lady Vees' puzzle.
"Erica could be the 'X factor' which
makes us very good this year," said Clarke. "I had no chance of
going out and finding a talent like her in short
notice. If she is healthy, we may have hit
the jackpot."
Making a comeback and making a difference on
the court won't be as easy as slipping the Laurentian
jersey over her head to get back into action. Johnson must
battle severe asthma to play every game.
"My asthma is a challenge," said Johnson.
"Medication does help to some extent. The only thing I can do
is work out my lungs. It's just another challenge to
overcome and in the end...I am much more mentally tough."
