TALKIN’ COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Cullman alum Johnson enjoying last laugh at UAH
Baylee Johnson isn’t one to say, “I told you so.”
The Cullman basketball product and current UAH standout would rather her abilities do all the talking.
So far, those words are coming in loud and clear.
Through four games for the Chargers this season, Johnson is tied for first on the team in free throws made (13), second in total assists (12), third in scoring average (10 points per contest), third in minutes played (94), fourth in total rebounds (11) and fourth in field goals made (11) — all as a freshman — on a squad with only four combined juniors and seniors.
Sound familiar? Well, it should.
Johnson was a two-time All-State selection at Cullman and currently holds the career scoring record (1,701) for the Lady Bearcats.
Prior to her senior season, the talented guard was drawing interest from several programs, including North Florida, Jacksonville State, Marshall and Samford.
Things were going smoothly.
Then, Johnson tore her ACL. And everything changed.
Not only did she miss valuable practice time, but the calls, letters and general interest from the aforementioned D-I programs slowly — almost painfully — went from genuine to tepid to nearly non-existent.
Johnson wasn’t deterred, though, as she rehabbed valiantly and returned to play in 24 games for the Black and Gold. In that brief time, she led the team in seven categories and finished sixth in Class 6A with 515 points.
Still, nothing changed.
“I didn’t hear anything from anybody about Baylee for a while,” then-Cullman coach Jonathan Hayes said. “People just stopped asking about her.”
For Johnson, it was about keeping the faith.
“I was just putting it in God’s hands at that point,” she said. “I didn’t lose any confidence in myself. I knew I could come back and be as good as I was before.”
While most turned the other cheek, however, first-year UAH coach Andrea Lemmond did not. As a Samford assistant coach, Lemmond was heavily involved in Johnson’s recruiting process and didn’t wane a bit despite the knee injury or her newfound position.
An offer was extended, plans were made and Johnson couldn’t be happier.
Things have a funny way of working out.
When I first started working at The Times back in 2012, Johnson always stood out to me.
When I learned that schools were backing off in 2014, I knew they’d be sorry.
Sure, I understand the hesitancy of some coaches. After all, scholarships are finite.
But with a talent like Johnson, the reward far outweighs the risk.
Just ask Lemmond, who knows a thing or two about ACL injuries herself.
Remember the opening line of this column?
Johnson won’t say it, nor should she have to say it.
I, however, have no quarrels.
I told you so, North Florida. I told you so, Jacksonville State. I told you so, Marshall. I told you so, Samford.
After all is said and done, Johnson will — in my opinion — be one of the best to play at UAH.
Throw in the proverbial “chip” on the shoulder … and look out.
“I’ve got one of those, no doubt,” Johnson said. “I know that when I go out there, I’m proving myself to everyone who didn’t believe that I could make it back.”
Seems to me like she’s well on her way.
So, for those who doubted Johnson’s work ethic, competitiveness and will to succeed, I pose one question.
Who’s laughing now?