Photo Credit: DAVID ROSENFIELD
BY JACOB FIERMAN
The guards on Cooper City High’s girls basketball team dribble down the court going over their latest drill. The girls try to blow by the defenders and drive to the basket. When one girl makes a mistake senior Tiana Johnson gives her advice on the right way to drive to the basket, and how to stop correctly to take a shot.
A leader is someone who helps motivate their team on and off the court. They teach their teammates how to get better so they improve as a whole. In the beginning of the season, Johnson was not able to play for the girl’s basketball team due to a strained MCL, however she continued to help better the team by assisting off the court. Now Johnson has recovered and is back to full health.
“It was horrible,” Johnson said. “I hated sitting in practice or the games and not being able to do the one thing I love.”
As a captain and point guard, Johnson her work cut out for her. Not only does she have to give it her all while on the court, but she also helps inspire her teammates to play their best. Johnson accepted the role of captain after playing on the varsity team for four years and she shares the position with fellow senior Jazmin Green.
“Tiana is a voice on the court for the rest of the team,” co-captain Green said.
Johnson is the glue of the team; she keeps the team intact while creating a strong bond with her teammates. The girls are always learning new skills from her and she is always trying to find ways to help out. Whether it’s helping the girls improve their shooting stance, allowing them to find a good pass, or just encouraging the girls to work hard all throughout the games and practices, Johnson goes to the next level to help her team.
“Tiana makes the team better,” junior Briana Saul said. “She tells me what I do right and wrong on both offense and defense.”
On the court Johnson is a substantial force. She is the team’s starting point guard so everything on offense runs through her. She makes passes to open teammates, sets screens for players, and takes shots to score. On defense she is a physical player, which is a big factor against other team’s guards.
“Tiana is a big defensive threat,” Saul said. “She puts her body on the line for the team in each game.”
She is currently practicing and working on getting back into shape. The team looks forward to watching her strike back into action this season.
“I just started practicing and it feels great,” Johnson said. “I’m so happy to be on the court and a part of the team.”
Having Johnson back on to the court again is significant for the girls. The team is benefiting from her being able to practice and participate in games again. For Johnson, she is back doing the thing she loves. On or off the court, one thing is for sure, one can never silence the powerful voice of this leader.
