Lady ’Canes’ Johnson works hard to dunk the ‘junk’
By Corey J. Corbin
New Castle News
New Castle High’s Darrian Johnson doesn’t like junk defenses.
The 5-foot-5 senior guard sees plenty of them on a nightly basis.
“It’s not an honor,” she said. “It’s kind of frustrating to me, because I have to work harder to get the ball. It’s something other teams have to do to win. I may be the best player on the team, but there’s several other good players on this team.”
Johnson overcame the junk defenses to score 18 points in a 55-50 upset of then WPIAL Section 2-AAA leader Central Valley and tacked on 31 points in a 49-44 nonsection loss to Trinity.
The performances earned her Lawrence County Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.
“It’s hard when she comes out and like nine people are face-guarding her,” second-year New Castle coach Scott Dibble said. “That wears on you. You can only do so much as one player. She’s done all we’ve asked of her. She brings it every night.”
The Lady ’Canes’ standout has reached the 30-point mark three times this season, including 31-point performances against Blackhawk and Trinity.
“I was on my game,” she said. “When I’m in a zone, I’m in a zone. I obviously can’t do that every game. I try to help my team out by scoring as many points as I can. If I’m on my game and I’m making my shots, I’m going to keep looking to score.”
She’s been able to score consistently for New Castle, reaching double figures in all but three games this year and is averaging 18.9 points a game after Monday’s 42-36 loss to Ellwood City.
“I put everything I have on the court,” she said. “I think I’m a good all-around player. I can shoot. I can rebound. I can drive to the basket. I can do it all, but I have to let my teammates do what they can.”
Dibble said Johnson’s drive on the floor can be problematic at times.
“To her detriment, she tries to do too much on her own and not rely on her teammates,” he said. “It’s frustrating for her. As you mature as a player, you understand that you need to rely on your teammates.”
Johnson has been effective as a senior, because she can score from almost everywhere on the court.
She has the quickness to drive past opponents to the basket or can step outside and hit a 3-pointer. Johnson has tossed in 36 3-pointers through 20 games and has converted 67.6 percent of her free throws.
“We run a lot of things for her,” Dibble said. “We get her in good situations. When she’s smart and lets the game come to her, she can make it happen. She has a knack at getting to the basket and getting to the free-throw line. It takes a special kid to do that.”
Dibble has Johnson, a natural shooting guard, running the point for the Lady ’Canes.
“She’s a great player,” Dibble said. “She’s not a true point guard. I think she’s more of a scoring guard. She’s the best ballhandler on the team. That’s why I have her running the point. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She works hard every day. She understands what to do in every situation.
“She understands the game and has gotten better as the season has gone on. She cares so much. She’s a big part of this program and I’m proud of her. She’s a great kid and a great basketball player.”
*****
THE DARRIAN JOHNSON FILE
POSITION: Guard
TEAM: New Castle
GRADE: Senior
PARENTS: LaToya Smith and Fred Smith
KNOWN FOR: Scoring 18 points in a 55-50 upset of then WPIAL Section 2-AAA leader Central Valley and 31 points in a 49-44 nonsection loss to Trinity.
FAVORITE PLAYER AND WHY: Kayla McBride and Derrick Rose. “Kayla plays at Notre Dame. I like her because she plays hard and what she does on the court. I like her style. I like Derrick Rose’s style and hopefully, I can do what he does some day.”
FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Boston Celtics. “I’ve liked them for forever. Back when Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers were there, they were a good all-around team.”
FUTURE PLANS: “I’d like to go to college and play basketball. I’d like to be a physical therapist.”