RaeAnnah (Rae) Johnson has been a central figure on St. Michael-Albertville High School’s girl’s basketball team since she was in eighth grade. Now a senior, Johnson has made the first cut in the Star Tribune’s 2017 Miss Basketball award, which is given to Minnesota’s top senior player in April each year.
Johnson just broke the school’s all-time scoring record last Friday night, and girl’s basketball coach, Kent Hamre, said she also has the record for the most three-pointers in a career and second in career assists.
“This year she is leading us with 20 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per games, 3.2 assists and 2.8 steals,” Hamre said. “She has a great work ethic and has spent many hours in the gym since she was in second grade. She is a great kid.”
Besides being in the running for Miss Basketball, Johnson has also been selected to play in the Minnesota Girl’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game, and she was selected for the USA McDonald’s All-American Finalist list. Johnson has a career in college basketball ahead of her at Iowa State.
STMA High School’s Activity Director, Brian Benson, said Johnson has represented the girl’s basketball program remarkably in her five years playing at the high school level.
“When I think about Rae, here’s what comes to my mind right away: her commitment to basketball and how hard she works to be the best she can possibly be,” he said. “She’s been a great leader in our program and she is a role model to younger girls who are passionate about basketball. But, to put it all together, what I really like about Rae is how humble she is.”
Johnson is one of 29 Minnesota senior players to make the first cut, and a list of finalists will be released in March. A complete list of the finalists, along with the ability to vote for your favorite, can be found at this link: http://www.mngirlsbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/753648?referrer_id=248310