4A GIRLS ALL-STATE: Bulldogs’ versatile senior fits mold of ideal player

Centennial’s girls basketball roster lists Johnna Brown as G/F for guard/forward.

And that’s likely only because “all of the above” couldn’t fit in the column.

Brown, a 6-foot senior, at times played point guard, shooting guard, wing and post for the Bulldogs. Her versatility was a major factor in the Bulldogs finishing 32-2 and winning the Class 4A state championship.

Brown, who will play next season at Dixie State College, is the player of the year on the Review-Journal’s All-State Girls Basketball Team.

“Her versatility is the bottom line in what makes a basketball player,” Centennial coach Karen Weitz said. “Johnna has a real sense for the game. She knows what she needs to do, and she can do a little bit of everything.”

That was crucial for a team that in some big games used as few as six players. Brown could switch positions, allowing other players to get a couple of minutes of rest.

“I never worried about foul trouble,” Weitz said. “We have kids who can play different positions. You need to know all five positions on the floor, and Johnna knows all five.”

The tallest player on the Bulldogs’ roster, Brown ended up as Centennial’s career leader in assists with 469, breaking the record previously held by Italee Lucas, who now plays at North Carolina.

“We stress all the time that you have to be a team player,” Weitz said. “We try to build all of our kids’ skills.”

Brown, who also was named to the All-State Academic Team, finished third in Centennial history with 1,867 points and second with 1,090 rebounds behind classmate Deanna Daniels.

In Brown’s final season, she averaged 17.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Those stats include 24 points and 10 rebounds in a state semifinal win over Reno and 15 points and seven rebounds in the final against Bishop Gorman.

Brown’s success helped the rest of her teammates bolster their numbers. That made everyone on the floor more dangerous, preventing opponents from keying on stopping only Brown.

“That’s a big confidence builder for the other kids,” Weitz said. “We’re so built around a team concept.”

The Bulldogs had four players average at least 10 points and three average at least three assists.

FIRST TEAM

Player, School                                    Pos    Ht    Yr    Stats/Highlights
Mia Bell, Durango                                 G    5-6     Sr.    26.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.2 apg, 4 spg
Emily Burns, Galena                             F    5-11   So.   18 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 bpg
Johnna Brown, Centennial                  F    6-0     Sr.    17.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 5.1 apg
Deanna Daniels, Centennial            F    5-10   Sr.    16.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.8 apg
Aaryn Ellenberg, Bishop Gorman      G    5-7   Jr.    18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.1 spg
Erica McKenzie, Reed                         G    5-7     Sr.    18 ppg, 8 apg, 5 rpg

SECOND TEAM
Player, School                                        Pos    Ht    Yr    Stats/Highlights
Ashley Armstrong, Bishop Manogue    G     5-11    Sr.   19.2 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.5 spg
Alexis Byrd, Centennial                           G     5-10   Jr.    16.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.4 apg
Shea Collins, Silverado                           G     5-5     Jr.    22.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.1 apg, 4.2 spg
Dannielle Diamant, Bishop Gorman     C   6-4     Sr.    14.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.9 spg
Jazmine Jarvis, Green Valley                 G   5-8   Jr.    19.0 ppg, 7.5 apg, 4 rpg, 4.5 spg
Danielle Peacon, Reed                           C     6-1     Jr.    19.5 ppg, 12 rpg

THIRD TEAM
Player, School                                    Pos    Ht      Yr.    Stats/Highlights
Clarissa Davis, Desert Pines               F   5-11    Sr.    13.9 ppg, 14.6 rpg
Sarah Finlay, Reno                                C    5-8      Jr.     8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.8 spg
Hayley Henderson, Palo Verde          G     5-8      Sr.    17.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.5 apg
Stephanie Rovetti, Reno                      G     5-7      Jr.    11.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.8 spg
Jessica Waggoner, Douglas                C     6-1     Sr.    17.0 ppg
Catherine Wyre, Cimarron-Memorial G    5-10   Sr.    21 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 3 spg