Farmington coaches parade past homes of Lady Cardinals basketball players

Championship commemoration

FARMINGTON — An unusual dilemma faced Farmington girls basketball coach Brad Johnson. A state championship had been declared, but in the midst of social distancing how should that be celebrated?

Johnson turned to Amber Johnson, as husband and wife awoke April 7 mulling a question that wouldn’t rest until they arrived at a solution.

The day before, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Arkansas schools would remain closed for on-site instruction through the rest of the school year.

Following Hutchinson’s proclamation, Farmington was declared co-state champions along with Star City by the Arkansas Activities Association to wrap up the unfinished 2020 Class 4A girls basketball season. Both teams advanced through the State tournament hosted by Farmington on March 4-7 to the state finals, which were originally scheduled for March 13 at Bank OZK Arena at Hot Springs.

“Amber had some ideas,” Johnson said, recalling how the plan to celebrate the state championship formulated within the Johnson household.

Amber Johnson suggested making signs and driving by each player’s house and honking. That resonated with Brad

Johnson. He decided to get a basketball net for each player because the covid-19 crisis deprived them of a traditional opportunity to cut the nets down after winning a state championship.

The only thing the Johnsons lacked were street addresses and driving directions on how to get to each player’s home.

“We’ll get that information,” Johnson said, telling his wife, “Let’s just run with it.”

Amber Johnson started calling parents asking for street addresses and telling them about the plan. Meanwhile Brad Johnson contacted assistant coaches Jessica McCullough, Denver Holt and Breanna Jones and intern Madison Parsely.

Tuesday afternoon a caravan of five vehicles, each transporting a coach, made its way around Farmington traveling through various neighborhoods.

“It kind of came on a whim. We organized it, put it together,” Johnson said. “We made signs. We drove to every kid’s home honking.”

The sight of their coaches driving past their homes displaying signs and honking to celebrate the state championship imparted a sense of recognition.

The Lady Cardinals beamed, their smiles etched forever in the memory of their head coach and leading advocate, Brad Johnson.

“I haven’t been able to see them in three weeks. I’d toss them their net. They’d put it around their neck and they would cut it,” Johnson said. “Their families were able to come out in their yard and see them get their nets.”

Johnson was keenly aware of how much they needed a moment to commemorate their shining achievement in winning Farmington’s first girls basketball state championship since 2008 and the school’s first team title since the softball team won it all in 2011.

“The teenagers, their world has been turned upside down. At least at this time for right now, we’ve given them something they can celebrate,” Johnson said. “Today felt like the world, everything, was right again.”

“It kind of came on a whim. We organized it, put it together. We made signs. We drove to every kid’s home honking.” — Farmington girls basketball coach Brad Johnson