Johnson versatile Vulcan

Lindsay Johnson of New Springfield is a big reason that the California (Pa.) University women’s basketball team is ranked No. 4 in the nation in the latest NCAA Division II USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ poll.

Thanks to Johnson’s versatility, 3-point shooting skills and experienced leadership, the 5-foot-11 senior guard from Springfield High has helped California to a first-place tie in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division with Indiana (Pa.). Both teams are 14-2, 3-0 PSAC.

The three-year starter also is a big reason the Vulcans are the No. l offensive team in the PSAC with an 81.6-point average per game.

“I bring variety to the team because I can play any position. I can be a shooter and I can play the inside. I try to bring senior leadership to the team,” said Johnson, who leads the Vulcans in 3-point goals (27-for-74) and is averaging a second-best 16 points entering Saturday’s home game against Edinboro at 6 p.m.

“The coach [Heather Kearney] gives me the green light to shoot the 3s, and sometimes if I am not hitting I’ll work something else, mostly setting up my teammates as a great screener [for] shots,” Johnson said. “I try to help any way I can.”

But Johnson’s biggest individual achievement this year has been climbing into the California career 1,000-point club on Jan. 10, when she poured in 40 points in the Vulcans’ 100-58 win over Cheyney State at home.

She became the 22nd player in school history to reach that milestone.

40-point game ranks No. 2 at California U.

In achieving that feat, Johnson was 14-for-21 from the field, including six-for-eight from 3-point range, to account for her 40 points, which rank No. 2 in single-game school history behind Lara Thornton’s school-record 64 points in 1994.

“It always helps that my shot is on when I come out [in a game]. It gives me a little boost,” said Johnson, who has 1,041 points to rank No. 19 at the school. “Not hitting 3s earlier in my career would have hurt me, but now a I just find something else to do to help the team.”

Johnson scored 27 of her points in the first half, including five 3-point goals in the opening 20 minutes.

And she also had six rebounds (four offensive), five assists and two steals.

Johnson joined teammate Brooque Williams, a 5-8 junior guard from Perry High (Pittsburgh) in the 1,000-point circle. Williams made it on Jan. 7 with 21 points in California’s 100-33 home win over Lake Erie College.

Johnson also is averaging a team-second-best 4.9 rebounds with 2.3 assists per game.

Williams now has 1,115 points to rank No. 12 on the school career scoring list. She is averaging a team-best 20.8 points a game and also leads the team in rebounding (11.3) and assists (3.9).

Developed long shot as Springfield senior

Johnson said she began to develop into a long-shot specialist her senior year at Springfield under coach Sandi Kohler.

“That wasn’t my role at Springfield, but when I came here in my freshman year, they needed a shooter and I was identified as a 3-guard and shooter,” said Johnson, who now is considered a 3-4 guard because of her versatility.

“I had worked a lot on my shot my senior year and then during the summer, and that’s what they needed is for me to come [to California] and shoot the ball.”

Johnson has hopes that California can win the PSAC and make the NCAA regional tournament for the third time that she has been there.

“I have been in two NCAA tournaments [2006 and 2008].” But, “We have the best chance this year,” said Johnson, the daughter of Lori and Mark Johnson.

Lyndsay is majoring in psychology with a 3.6 grade-point average. She plans to graduate in May and then attend graduate school.

XJohn Kovach covers college athletes for The Vindicator. Write him at kovach@vindy.com.