Joe Gaiter: What does basketball mean to you?
Kerrigan Johnson: Basketball is my everything and my escape from any challenges I may be battling at the time. Every time I step on a court and hoop, I wish I could stay there 24/7. My love for the game of basketball exceeds any other talent that I have.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Kerrigan Johnson: I always been looked over or looked too as the last option. In AAU I barely played in big tournaments where hundreds of coaches were there to watch teams play. I barely got to display my talents. I worked hard everyday in practice but come game time that hard work from practice couldn’t be displayed on the court because I never got the opportunity. Then coming into Tucker High School my junior year, my team and I got kicked out the playoffs the day before our Elite Eight game over false accusations made against us. From that happening my whole senior year of athletics was taken away from me.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your childhood and how you started playing basketball.
Kerrigan Johnson: My entire childhood memories always involved me with some type of ball from basketball, football, tennis, etc., I always picked up a ball. My parents would always take me to stores like Walmart or the Nike Outlet and I would run off and three seconds later everyone in the store would just hear basketballs bouncing. From that point my parents and I both knew that a talent was coming soon with basketball. I started playing basketball when I was 7 years old for my church, Berean Christian Church. We would have practice around 7:30pm to prepare for games and I would always be the first one there and the last one to leave. I remember one specific practice where the coaches were asking us questions like “Where is the half court line,” or “Where is the free throw line,” and I was the only one who would answer all the questions right. As I look back at my church league memories, I knew I had a different kind of love for the game to lose every single game by a lot and I was always the leading scorer with 2 points because that’s all we would score, but I would cry after every game because I didn’t like losing.
Joe Gaiter: How was your time at Redan Highschool?
Kerrigan Johnson: My time at Redan was very memorable. I gained a lot of experience from when I was still in middle school, coming to the high school and practicing with the undefeated class of 2014 squad. To be able to have that opportunity to practice with them as a middle schooler then actually coming up to the high school playing varsity as freshman and starting varsity as a sophomore was definitely a highlight of my career. At Redan High School the girls basketball team definitely faced a lot of adversity from the school’s staff from getting put out of the gym to having to share the court with the football team when they could be practicing outside. That was very stressful because our coach had to really take in a lot for us. I ended my career at Redan with many accomplishments from first team all-state to 2017 region champions. Regardless of the adversity from my freshman and sophomore year, we was the only winning girls program so it goes to show that when challenges came to us we didn’t run away but we faced them head on together.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about playing for the Georgia Pistols Elite.
Kerrigan Johnson: I was apart of the Georgia Pistols for my entire AAU career. We didn’t change our name to elite until the 2016. My experience playing with the Georgia Pistols Elite was definitely a roller coaster. I loved the team even through all of the changes we went through we stuck together and bonded an actual sisterhood. Playing with the Georgia Pistols Elite, I didn’t really get much playing time therefore my talents weren’t showcased as they should have been but I didn’t quit instead I kept working hard knowing that in my head I was still going to prevail from the situation that I was in.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about playing at Tucker High School?
Kerrigan Johnson: My fondest memories playing at Tucker High School was the school support and the community support. It was definitely a different atmosphere coming from Redan to Tucker but the support that basketball gets from Tucker was amazing. Another memory from Tucker was the bonds that were established on and off the court was impeccable. It was hard coming from one school to another and having to adjust to a whole new program, coaches, and players but the support and bonds made it easier.
Joe Gaiter: Your first game at Tucker, you scored 28 points and received the game ball. How did you get so good at your position?
Kerrigan Johnson: I remember that game like it was yesterday. I was in a new jersey, under new coaches, but still the same “Kerrigan Johnson.” Only I knew who I was about, no one else so I had to transform into “beast mode” to make my name known to everyone who watched that game that day. Hard work, dedication, and patience is how I have bettered my craft. I was just a little 6th grader waiting until the next year to play basketball when my P.E. teacher; Coach Tamera Nelson, took me under her wing and developed me into the player I am today. She made me practice with the team, she introduced me to the class of 2014 Redan High School Girls state championship basketball players who she also coached as well to let me see who I was going to become in the years to come. That’s why I’m so good at my position.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience?
Kerrigan Johnson: My recruitment experience has been tough because of me getting overlooked, not getting any exposure from the AAU circuit, and from my senior year of high school basketball being taken away. When I talked to some coaches about my past experiences some coaches took that into consideration and helped the recruiting process become easier and others kept it pushing. That never deterred from my dream of playing basketball which is why I kept contacting coaches, working on my craft, and creating new film to send out to coaches because I knew someone would see my talent that they could use for their team.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Hinds Community College?
Kerrigan Johnson: Hinds Community College was my last hope that gave me the opportunity to play and I am blessed for it. My cousin Victoria Johnson who graduated from Hinds Community College, gave me the coaches number and I reached out and she was able to grant me a full scholarship to play there.
Joe Gaiter: Hinds CC was 3-18 last season. What went wrong in your opinion?
Kerrigan Johnson: We as a team went through a lot of complications from players quitting to not taking the game of basketball serious. In my opinion, what went wrong was the lack of experience from both coaches and some players to step up in game situations and say “Hey, this is what we need to do,” or in practice going through game like situations to prepare for the different teams in our region. The team was also not on one accord with the coaches at times to be able to grasp and understand what was needed to be done and your expected role as a player. Lastly favoritism had a huge impact to the team because one player would feel a way about how the other player was being treated by the coaches. As I look back at the season, yes I take blame at some game opportunities where I should’ve taken over and been that leader both on and off the court. A coach can’t limit a player’s talent so another player can shine.
Joe Gaiter: What is your relationship like with Head Coach Jackie Martin – Glass and Coaches Andonte Gennie and Gerald Glass Jr?
Kerrigan Johnson: My relationship with all the coaches stands at no bond nor relationship because of how things went during the season until now. I respect them as people and pray for the best in their career.
Joe Gaiter: What is next for you?
Kerrigan Johnson: As of right now I am currently released from Hinds Community College, but to my next team I would want to be that positive role model and leader anyone can come to for advice, motivation, and good chemistry on and off the court. I would also want to be that example to show my team to continue to work hard and get that extra work in even on your down time. Prepare yourself for game days and show my coaches that I’m well prepared for the competition.
Joe Gaiter: How have you faced adversity this year?
Kerrigan Johnson: I face adversity head on not just this year every year. Each year its something different that tries to come and overtake me but with my faith strong and head on right, God will always prevail and any wrongdoings toward you will be brought to the light.
Joe Gaiter: Who are some athletes we should keep on our radar?
Kerrigan Johnson:
◦ Javen Smith
◦ Shaniyah Meneweather
◦ Kai Carter
◦ Jordan Releford
◦ Summer Dillwood
◦ Brea Elmore
◦ Victoria Johnson
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about KJ’s Fine Kutz.
Kerrigan Johnson: I started KJ’s Fine Kutz 3 years ago and just been keeping it as my side hustle ever since. I’m self-taught only 18 years old and still have some growing to go with it but my time is coming.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Kerrigan Johnson: My major is computer science and I plan on using it overseas in coding and technology programming.
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation?
Kerrigan Johnson: My motivation is God, my family, and my coaches; Tamera Nelson, Sean Sherman, and James Oliver. God keeps me headed in the right direction and is prevailing me from any darkness that has been dawned down on me. My middle sister is one of my biggest motivations because she used to play basketball but had to stop due to her lifelong heart condition. I wear number five for her because that is the last number she wore before she stopped playing. All of the coaches that I have named have all installed in me one particular memory that I remember everyday that keeps me motivated and working hard to complete my goals in life and for basketball. Lastly, my uncle who passed away years ago has been the biggest motivations for me. Our last conversation before he passed away he said “I’m going to see you playing basketball on television one day,” and I will make sure that I achieve that goal for him and for myself.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Kerrigan Johnson: For anyone playing sports who have the dreams and desires to play collegiate and eventually professionally, you may inquire people that don’t care about you or your goals and may mess around with your career but don’t let those people determine your future. Keep working hard, keep your faith strong and never give up. There is always someone watching you who will take you out of your bad situation and turn it good.
