Johnson a welcome addition to River Lions
Alex Johnson is a coach’s dream.
Not only is Johnson a veteran with numerous stops at a variety of professional levels, but the 31-year-old Toronto native is also more than willing to put the team first over his individual goals.
Johnson poured in 18 points and added five assists and a pair of rebounds as the Niagara River Lions topped the Saskatchewan Rattlers 94-83 in Canadian Elite Basketball League action in St. Catharines Friday night.
The win improves Niagara’s record to a league-best 8-2 at the halfway point of the regular season.
The second-place Rattlers drop to 6-4.
River Lions coach Victor Raso loves Johnson’s attitude.
“Alex is a veteran guy. He’s an incredible teammate and a really good basketball player,” Raso said. “He’s a smart, selfless guy.”
Raso quickly pointed to an example of Johnson’s unselfish nature, indicating he turned down a chance to enter the game in favour of keeping Yohanny Dalembert on the floor in a key situation.
“Alex went on the floor and came right back off. Yo-Yo (Dalembert) ended up getting the stop and the board on that play,” Raso said. “I’m open to these guys. They’re older than me so if they feel and see things on the court, I’m open to it.”
Johnson has learned from his travels, which began at California State University at Bakersfield. He has also played pro on a number of teams, including the now-defunct Ottawa Skyhawks of the National Basketball League of Canada.
“I’ve been tested throughout these different seasons so I’ve learned to roll with the punches and just give the team what I have, basically,” he said. “That’s what I’m focused on.
“I think in my time and with all these teams I’ve played on I’ve learned to grow up and know that sometimes it’s not about scoring 30 and losing. Sometimes it’s about sacrificing and what are you willing to do to hold that trophy up at the end of the season. I want to win.”
Johnson, who commutes from his Toronto home to Niagara, played last season with the London Lightning of the Canadian Basketball League where Raso noticed him.
“Victor called me and told me there would be a spot open and it was a pretty easy transition. I know a lot of the guys.
“Vic is a cool and easy coach. It’s been an easy transition. He’s one of the few coaches who is willing to hear you out. He’s not stuck in his own ways. He’s willing to learn.”
Johnson is already planning a career after his playing days are over.
“I’m trying to learn the transition of getting into coaching. I want to figure out what level. I know pros are a headache. Some pros you can’t tell them anything, they know everything.
“I definitely want to make a change in the community and help out some of the younger guys who looked up to me growing up and give back.”
Friday’s victory kept the River Lions undefeated on their home court.
“We focused a lot leading up to this game loading up on their main guys and making it difficult for them and I thought we did a really good job,” Raso said. “Their main guys weren’t comfortable. They never got easy, uncontested looks.”
STATS PACK
River Lions 94 Rattlers 83
BPSN Player of the Game: Niagara guard Alex Johnson with 18 points and five assists.
For the Niagara River Lions: Johnson 18; Trae-Bell Haynes 20; Guillaume Payen-Boucard 20; Yohanny Dalembert 11; Dorian Pinson 11.
For the Saskatchewan Rattlers: Tavrion Dawson 22; Bruce Massey 19; Terry Thomas 14.
Game stats: Shooting percentage: Niagara 44.9, Saskatchewan 41.6; Rebounds: Niagara 52, Saskatchewan 41. Free throws: Niagara 14-16 Saskatchewan 8-16. Turnovers: Niagara 19, Saskatchewan 17.
Up next: Home to Hamilton, Wednesday, June 26 at 7 p.m.
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