by By Dan Ninham
Basketball players begin playing at an earlier and earlier age nowadays. By continuing to play year in and year out the progress is evident of becoming as best as one can be.
Lyleonia Johnson, 18, is Choctaw, is a senior at Choctaw Central HS and lives in Choctaw, Mississippi.
“I started playing basketball when I was five years old,” said Lyleonia. “We had a little league for basketball for all ages. I played every year until I made varsity. There was good competition and we would go back and forth with them.”
“My main athletic accomplishments were being named Best Defense Player for our team, earning All District, and being a part of the underclassmen All Star Game,” said Lyleonia.
“I admire Shoni Schimmel,” said Lyleonia. “Shoni influenced me because she showed that even if you’re a native, you still can go to the pro’s. You just have to put hard work into it.”
“My mentors are Jimmy Tangle and Gwynn Grant,” said Lyleonia. “Jimmy is my mentor because he has a daughter who plays college ball so he knows what it’s like to play college ball. He works out with a couple of us so we’re prepared to play college ball.”
“Lylo’s progression towards being a college athlete start since freshman year,” said Jimmy Tangel, player development and assistant basketball coach, Choctaw Central High School.
“She is very competitive, unselfish and has a willingness to take on any challenge. This includes guarding the best opponents player. Lylo is a silent leader who leads by example and works very hard to train and become better. During training sessions she does whatever is asked and gives more than what is expected.
Off the court she is very helpful and a supportive friend. Just as she is unselfish on the court, she is unselfish when it comes to her family,” added Jimmy.
“I recall when one of the cross country coach’s wasn’t able to make it in to practice,” said Jimmy. “Instead of cancelling practice that day, she came to the gym where I was while I was training the high school boys basketball team and asked if I could come work with the XC team. After I was done, I went outside to train the team. She didn’t want to cancel practice and knew also that I was going to push them to the limits. She showed leadership and the unselfishness to want to get better and help the team regardless of the circumstances.”
“Gwynn also has kids who play college ball so she makes sure we’re not making mistakes and keeping our grades up,” said Lyleonia.
“I have had the pleasure of coaching Lylo in my cross country program,” said Coach Gwynn Grant. “She’s been a part of my program since junior high school. To have an athlete remain in a cross country program for six years is an accomplishment in itself. Year after year, she has grown, and matured into a wonderful young lady, an athlete sure of her dreams and goals. She has exhibited resilience to overcome obstacles, barriers and setbacks that have been thrown at her. Her determination always pushed her forward to keep fighting for her goals.”
“She has six years of hard work built into her, so she’s accustomed it and has the ability to lay it on all on the line. I have no doubt she will succeed as an athlete and in life. It was truly an honor to have coached her, and wish her the absolute best, and to be a reminder to apply what she’s learned, not to only to sports but to life in general.”
The holistic parts of being at your peak condition need to be balanced for best results. “Physically, I run everyday. Emotionally, I make sure I’m always good. Mentally, I keep in mind Pat Summit’s quote ‘left foot, right foot, breathe.’ Spiritually, I attend the Spirit of Life Christian Center.”
Lyleonia Johnson is on her way to her senior season with aspirations to play community college basketball the following season.
Photo Credits: B Rad Isaac
good luck in the future ! 🙂