WESSON – Scott Johnson is the new Wesson head girls basketballcoach at Wesson. He replaces Lane Young who will coach theslowpitch and new fastpitch girls softball teams.

Johnson, who turns 31 in August, comes from Class AA ColumbiaAcademy where he served as head basketball and baseball coach forthe past three years. He also coached the junior high basketballteams and junior high baseball team.

“My first impression of Wesson was it took my breath,” saidJohnson of the size of the Class 2A school. “And having two gymsdidn’t hurt too much.”

Johnson is no stranger to sports. A native of Jayess, Johnsonattended Topeka-Tilton up through his junior year where heparticipated in all of the schools sports including football (freesafety/quarterback), basketball (point guard), baseball (secondbase/shortstop) and golf. He was named to All-District andAll-Conference teams.

His senior year was completed at Brookhaven Academy after theLawrence County schools consolidated. Johnson competed for theCougars in all sports, including wide receiver in football.

Johnson enjoyed his senior year playing basketball at BrookhavenAcademy for then coach Gene “Moochie” Britt. The Cougars finishedthe season winning All-District, South State and finishing secondin the Overall State Tournament.

Following high school graduation, Johnson received his A.A. fromCopiah-Lincoln Community, a B.S. major in coaching, sportsadministration and a minor in history from Southern Miss. He iscurrently attending William Carey College in Hattiesburg to earnhis master’s degree in secondary education.

Johnson has been married for five years (in October) to theformer Mendy Smith of Tylertown. She works as an RN in surgery atSouthwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. They have twodaughters, Haven, who turns 3 in August, and Heidi, who will be ayear old in September.

After graduating from USM, Johnson worked for two years in Byramas a precoat metals crane operator.

Johnson received a call from Columbia Academy and he acceptedhis first job as head coach. He coached high school boys basketballand varsity baseball as well as junior high boys basketball andjunior high baseball.

“It is closer,” said Johnson of coaching and teaching at Wesson.”I was happy where I was at. Mr. (Billy) Britt called. I went outthere and it was a situation that would benefit myself and Mr.Britt. I weighed out the benefits. It was a logical choice.”

Johnson is impressed with the early turnout by the girls comingback but he would like to see others try out for the team.

“We have been practicing for two weeks,” said Johnson. “I’llwait a little while to decide (on the offense and defense the teamwill run).”

Johnson has some goals for the teams.

“The main thing is to make sure each day each player finds someway to become better,” explained Johnson. “People put too muchemphasis on wins and losses. We want to get better individually andas a team. The winning record will come after that has beenaccomplished.”

For the Lady Cobras and junior high teams to be better, theymust have sound fundamentals in basketball.

“If a kid doesn’t know the defensive fundamentals, you arewasting your time,” stated Johnson. “Best offense is only as goodas the people who run it.”

Johnson will be teaching high school U.S. history (through1877).

Johnson and his family are members of Progress Baptist Churchwhere he serves as a deacon. Mendy sings in the church choir and hedoes some youth work on Wednesday nights.. Since the loss of theiryouth director, Johnson has taken up the slack.

“We are in the middle of replacing a youth director,” statedJohnson.

Johnson said the ground work for a successful basketball programbegins when the players are young.

“You have to built a program,” explained Johnson. “You have tostart younger than kids are actually playing. You can’t start inthe junior high level. You have to start with elementary. Startcamps. Buddy ball. Start in kindergarten. You have to start themwith a love for the game at that age.”

Johnson feels the community can get behind the team.,

“You have to involve parents, teachers and community. “There isa difference in knowing and playing basketball.”

Johnson wants the athletes to be as competitive in the classroomas on the hardwood. “Mr. Britt has a competitive spirit,” addedJohnson. “That always adds to your sports and academics.”

Britt has agreed to coach the varsity basketball boys thisseason since Jimmie Nail resigned. Johnson will work as Britt’sassistant.