by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
In a recent United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) women’s basketball game, the team relied on the shooting performance of All-American forward, Kierra Johnson, late in the second half to beat Dakota College 73-67 at Bottineau, ND. Johnson scored 21 points including 3-3 from beyond the arc and was close to a double-double with eight rebounds.
Kierra Johnson is a 5’9”, sophomore basketball player at UTTC, Bismarck, ND. She is half Navajo and my other half includes Paiute, Washoe, Cherokee and Alabama-Coushatta. Her mother, Christianna Willams, is Navajo. Her father, Hank Johnson, is Paiute, Washoe, Cherokee, and Alabama-Coushatta. She is from Reno, Nevada. Her Indian name is Nubabe Hootseba and Nubabe (snow) Hootseba (bird), means Snowbird in Paiute.
Kierra said: “The people who positively influenced me as an athlete are my father/coach Hank Johnson, my mother Christianna Williams, junior varsity high school coach/mentor Caprina Johnson, varsity high school coach/mentor Anthony Abbie, speed, strength and agility trainer Darwin Holiyan and current UTTC coach/mentor Kelsey Peltier.”
Father and Coach Hank Johnson said: “Senior year and we were travelling to ‘rez’ teen tournaments making our last rounds and everywhere we went all the elders and old school ballers would shake her hand and chat with her and offer good words. Competitive fire and talent would show on the court but humbleness and good hearted would show off the court. At another tournament an entire team came and watched a game, afterwards they all came and shook Kierra’s hand and told her good game. Kierra would go and just randomly talk to other teams just to chat and make friends. Leading by example always.”
High school junior varsity coach Caprina Johnson said: “Kierra is one of the most accountable and motivational players that I have gotten a chance to coach. Her ability to remain calm under adversity and to be able to clearly communicate with her teammates and coaches set her far apart from other players. Kierra’s work ethic on the court created an environment that was contagious to be in. One that embraced being successful. By setting high standards not only for herself, but also for her teammates, Kierra helped everyone around her get better. On the court, she always made the impossible seem possible. Always had the willingness to learn from her mistakes and to help others learn from their own. She embodies all of the characteristics of an outstanding leader.”
Trainer Darwin Holiyan said: “I first met Kierra at a training session we hosted in Carson City, NV over two years ago. She was tall, athletic and I could already tell she was destined for greatness the moment I met her. Prior to each training session we do athlete introductions, age, grade, primary sports and what their personal mission statement is. She was shy at first but a few moments later when the work began, she was focused and had the intensity we were looking for. Her leadership skills have always shown on and off the court. From the very beginning she demonstrated what a leader is. During the first session she assisted others who were physically and mentally tired. She assisted by uplifting, demonstrating and even giving the younger athletes the prep talk to mentally prepare for what needs to be done. The younger athletes that were able to train with her looked up to her and followed her lead. Her positive attitude, drive, grit, tenacity, focus, determination and the will to succeed was what drove others to do the same. She was our leader during training sessions, not as just a high school athlete, but because she understood how to mentor those coming up to take on the leadership role. She was always the first in line and most of the time, the first to arrive at our sessions.”
“On the court and during games she also has a commanding presence. I had the chance to watch her a few times in both high school and of course now in college. She was communicative, dives for the ball, helps teammates up and has the mental toughness to battle through anything that was thrown at her or her team. With her as a team captain, no doubt will they have a winning season. She can contribute anywhere at any point in time, she has always had a winning mentality even with loses. She is able to bounce back quickly and focus on what she needs to do and how to help the team in return,” added Darwin.
“Off the court I have seen her leadership role at tournaments, more importantly at ‘Rez-Ball’ tournaments,” said Darwin. “Rez-Ball in Nevada is a huge part of our year!”
“I recall a very specific moment when I got a chance to see her in action off the court,” said Darwin. “We were at one of the local tournaments for the youth, and I ran into Kierra and her family. I asked her how her day was and how things were coming along. She said they were great of course. I sat within earshot of Kierra at the tournament. During the game her sisters team was playing and I hear Kierra shout “defense!” and the entire time no one was listening on the team. I recall a relatively close game with 5 minutes left. A timeout was called and here goes Kierra out on the court in the huddle, hastily. I can hear the exact same words I used to say to her ‘do you want this or not?’ and she said it in an authoritative manner. Other words were said, but I heard that phrase for sure. The demeanor of the entire team changed instantly. Whatever she said in that team huddle made the difference between a win or lose situation. The team went out, they played well and won the game. It was pretty amazing to see our own athlete make a huge difference as a coach and mentor. I was astonished and happy that she was able to do that for them.”
“Kierra has always been a great leader at heart. Her aura and natural ability to help others prosper is what will continue to bring her, her continued success. I have seen her grow into an impressive athlete and individual that will someday lead others in a bigger role. Her integrity, actions and examples show others what is possible. She set out to make a difference and a difference she has made. It may sound as if she is invincible. Regardless after the losses, the times she didn’t want to train but her will and impact kept her going. She has demonstrated accountability, adaptability, compromise, humility, and has unavoidably found herself in a position of success. That is what happened for her after all the time she has put into her career and education. She never quit no matter how hard things were or what circumstances she faced. She truly lives the ‘try your best and never give up’ mentality. She empties the tank,” added Darwin.
“Kierra has always been a very outgoing, optimistic, vibrant person,” said Coach Kelsey Peltier from UTTC. “She’s loud by nature and that is one, of many, attributes I appreciate about Kierra. She’s always been about the best interests of the team and not herself. Her unselfish personality is already bleeding onto her teammates and a big part of our program’s success is because of Kierra Johnson. Kierra was an All-American last season and a big part of her accomplishments happened because of the work she put in. Her extra time outside of practice helped her secure that All-American accolade and it was well deserved.”
“I started playing basketball when I was two years old, and I have been playing since,” said Kierra. “I have traveled to many AAU and Native tournaments. I played basketball year around to keep me busy and out of trouble. I have had many people come up to me at different tournaments and tell me how good of a basketball player I am. Little do they know it took a lot of work to get to where I am today. There were no days off even after tournaments. Up to my Junior year in high school I told my parents I didn’t want to play, and they were hurt when I told them I didn’t want to play. Weeks went by and I still didn’t want to continue basketball then last minute I had my mom sign all the papers I needed to try-out. I was out of shape because I didn’t do anything that summer or for preseason. I struggled in the beginning of the season and it took me so long to get back in shape, but still manage to get back to where I was before. My parents always pushed me to be a better student-athlete and motivated me to keep playing basketball. They even took me to my practices and training sessions. Also, all the people who have supported me I thank them so much.”
“My accomplishments include 4A All League, broke the school record with the most rebounds in a game with 17 rebounds, First Team All-League, All Region 2018, Region XIII MVP, Third-Team All-American, and also got many all-stars and MVPs at tournaments,” said Kierra.
Successful athletes pave the way for others to follow. Advice is in order and others need to heed the advice. “You have to work for what you want; you just don’t get things handed to you,” said Kierra. “Think about why you are where you are today. Because most people don’t have the strength to do things in life, life isn’t easy. You will have some ups and downs, but you will learn from those mistakes to be a better person. Don’t forget you are a student first then an athlete second, make sure you go to class and get your homework/class work done because if you don’t then you won’t be able to play. Get good grades because in college basketball could pay for your schooling.”
Photo Credit: Luann Poitra
