Johnson, Gamecocks ready for the moment
CLEVELAND – Tessa Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley took a moment during the national championship game to appreciate how far they’ve come.
The two freshmen couldn’t wait until the buzzer sounded and the confetti rained down Sunday in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse after South Carolina women’s basketball defeated Iowa 8775 to win its third NCAA championship. Even before that, it hit Johnson and Fulwiley.
“Wow, we almost had to be put on the highlighters – you know our highlighters practice team? We almost had to be put on the highlighters,” Johnson said. “And we’re like, ‘Wow, look how far we’ve come.’ “
Fulwiley was a spark early in the game like she has been many times this postseason. She changed the momentum of the first quarter after South Carolina fell behind by as many as 11 points, scoring seven points in three minutes off the bench.
But it was Johnson who starred on the biggest stage, in the biggest moment of her young career. She scored a careerhigh 19 points Sunday. She shot 7-for-11 from the field, and she didn’t miss a shot in the second or third quarter when the No. 1 seeded Gamecocks (38-0) took control of the game. Johnson went 3for-6 from 3-point range, and her shots were timely and momentum-changing.
It’s the second time all season she has led South Carolina in scoring – the first was when she scored 15 points in the Elite Eight to beat Oregon State.
Johnson was the difference in the championship game against the No. 1 seeded Hawkeyes (34-5), producing off the bench when Iowa’s reserves didn’t score a single point.
But Johnson doesn’t really care about her own performance. She just cares that they won. She doesn’t know any other feeling, which is “a little weird” for her. But winning is what she came to South Carolina to do.
Johnson could start on almost any team in the country, but she sacrificed that for this. For a championship. For a perfect season.
She remembers sitting at home in Albertville, Minnesota, a year ago watching South Carolina lose to Iowa in the Final Four.
“It’s kind of crazy ... I was watching the game and I was like, ‘Wow, I really
wish I could help them,’ “Johnson said. “And the fact that I’m able to do that, it’s amazing.”
Johnson had her ups and downs as a freshman. There were SEC games when she barely played or didn’t score. She opened the NCAA Tournament going 0for-7 against Presbyterian. But after that, she averaged 12.2 points, shooting 47.6% from the field.
“She’s always ready for the moments,” teammate Raven Johnson said. “When her number is called, she’s always ready ... When you’re talking about freshmen, Tessa Johnson’s name should definitely be in the conversation.”
South Carolina assistant coach Winston Gandy often stays after practice to get shots up with players. He has seen the work Johnson has put in.
She has always been able to shoot. But Johnson has developed from more of a one-way player to “an elite two-way player,” Gandy said, and gained more confidence in attacking off the dribble.
Her name didn’t often come up in conversations about this season’s talented freshmen. She flew under the radar at times. But – again – Johnson doesn’t care all that much.
Gandy said it’s how Johnson was raised. She’s selfless. She’s a giver. She has no problem celebrating other’s success.
“I think anytime you’re like that, it always comes back around,” Gandy said. “I just think her mentality is that she’s for the team. She wants to win just as much as everybody else. And if it’s her defense, cool. If it’s her offense, cool. She doesn’t trip either way.”