Shipley’s Sanai Johnson is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (Dec. 19-25)
The freshman guard is off to a great start this season, averaging 13.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3 apg and 2.3 spg for the Gators (6-1 as of Dec. 15). At the recent She Got Game Classic in Washington, D.C., she was named Game MVP in a contest against National Christian. Johnson averaged more than 10 points per game for the Gators as an 8th grader, and received All-Friends’ Schools League honors that season. She also plays lacrosse for Shipley (as a goalie) and is a member of the school’s Black Student Union and Cooking Club. Shipley girls basketball head coach Ellen Bair said, “Sanai is a very talented young basketball player, but what I’ve been most impressed with this year is her commitment to expanding her game. She’s working hard to contribute in other ways than scoring — rebounding, facilitating, locking up on defense, etc. — which is so important both to our team’s success and to her development. In addition, what I really respect about Sanai is that she is a vocal leader. She’s always saying, ‘You’re good’ or ‘My fault.’ She just shows great leadership in that vocal regard, and it’s impressive for such a young player.”
Q: What has been your favorite memory of the season to date?
A: My best memory thus far was the trip we took to Washington, D.C., for the She Got Game Classic tournament. As a team, we went to D.C. for the first time, which allowed us to get to know one another better. I knew I had to step up during this competition because we were missing a few players. We had the opportunity to play some excellent teams and I was awarded MVP.
Q: What part of your game did you work on the most during the off-season?
A: The area of my game I focused on the most during the off-season was my shooting. I had to correct my form and make sure that every shot I produced was efficient and consistent.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in basketball. Have you always been a guard?
A: When I initially started playing basketball, it was just a fun activity I could do after school to release my pain and frustration. I joined the Monarchs team at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, where I got to know two incredible instructors named Rich and Isaac who taught me the basics of basketball. Later, Tasheed Carr, who I was introduced to, gave me the opportunity to play against boys. He helped reveal my aggression and how to input it into my game. He gave me the motivation and courage to take up basketball. I did not play as a guard at first — at that time, I was fairly tall for my age and played as a big.
Q: Who have been your top basketball mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
A: I had the privilege to come across some amazing people and coaches. As for the people who continue to leave a mark in my life, here are my top mentors:
My trainer Tasheed Carr who has given me the self-assurance to become the player I am today. Even though he can come off as forceful, he has good intentions and wants what’s best for me and anyone he trains.
My step dad Lamell Henderson, who inspires me to be my best self and assists me in identifying the areas I need to improve. He encourages me and is one of my biggest supporters.
Coach Eric Scott was able to teach me how to unleash the beast within me while still preserving my inner bright young girl.
Coach Bilal Benn, despite my lack of self-assurance, hand-selected me to be his little guard because he had faith in me even when my abilities weren’t as strong.
Coach Andrea Carter, when my mental strength and basketball talents weren’t as strong, she served as a sort of therapist for me. She encouraged me to be a go-getter.
Coach Darius, who never lost faith in me. He walked through everything with me in our workouts, and always gave me advice while being patient with me.
My cousin Twan, who always keeps it 100.
Last but not least, Shipley coach Ellen Bair, who is educating me on the ins and outs of playing basketball at the next level and providing me with new opportunities.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 11 for Shipley basketball – is there a reason you chose that number?
A: My jersey number is 11 because of Mo’ne Davis. I admire her work ethic. Her number was 11 in softball and basketball. She was one of Marian Anderson’s best athletes when I used to play recreational basketball. She was the first female player in the history of the Little League World Series to both earn a victory and throw a shutout. She was one of the two girls who competed in the 2014 tournament. Mo’ne gave me hope that young girls could accomplish anything and that I too could succeed. Since then, I have worn the number 11 as a reminder.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Depending on the type of game I’m playing—whether it’s for the school varsity team or AAU—I start by praying to my Father and letting music soothe my mind.
Q: Do you play basketball outside of Shipley, and if so, can you share with us your favorite basketball experience outside of Shipley?
A: Last year, I had the privilege of playing up with the K-low 10th grade team. In the AAU season, I had the opportunity to compete against high school players, which pushed me to raise my level of play and basketball IQ. During the season, I got to connect with older players who trusted my ability to lead the team as an 8th grader and formed friendships both on and off the court.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Shipley?
A: My favorite academic course at Shipley is English, which allows me to express my creativity in writing.
Fun facts – Sanai Johnson
Favorite book: Blended by Sharon M. Draper.
Favorite TV show: Glee.
Favorite movie: Brotherly Love.
Favorite athlete: On the female side it’s Kahleah Copper and on the men’s side it’s Kyrie Irving.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: “Fire on Fire” by Sam Smith.
Favorite team: Chicago Sky.
Favorite place to visit: Hawaii.
Favorite pre-game meal: An apple, a strawberry chewy bar, and Body Armor.
Person I most admire, and why: “The person I admire the most is my mother, she has done so much for me since the day I was born until now. She has made enormous sacrifices so that I can play basketball and pursue any other interests I may have. She has been a great role model as a woman, a mother, and as a human being. Even though we may not agree on everything all the time, she has helped me learn numerous life lessons and has never failed to be my go-to person. She is the one I admire and love most.”
Family members: Sonora Pin (mother), Kevin Johnson (father), Lamell Henderson (step father), Saige Henderson (sister), grandparents George and Corrine Johnson, Lenora Henderson, Sophal Pin.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
