Jodi Johnson savored the moment as she slowly but surely climbed the ladder underneath the north basket at Norwalk High. The egoless superstar cut the final piece of the net, turned to the Wadsworth faithful, raised the nylon into the air and spun it triumphantly.
Johnson must have felt like she was on top of the world. Really, the Grizzlies were on Cloud 9.
Wadsworth’s Jodi Johnson scores against Whitmer’s Tyra James, right, Bryce Blood and Mirandia Green, left, during the fourth quarter. (RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE)
Four years of crying in sorrow led to this moment of crying in joy. No basketball team in Medina County history has deserved such a surreal experience, one of jubilation, love and, above all else, an immeasurable sense of relief.
Wadsworth won a Division I regional championship Saturday with an emotional roller coaster of a 47-39 triumph over Toledo Whitmer. The Grizzlies pulled off what they never could do against Toledo Notre Dame Academy in each of the previous four years: Win.
This was for the 17 graduated players who never got to bask in the glory of a trip to Value City Arena because of Notre Dame. This was for the community that gave the Grizzlies a round of applause at Applebees following a regional semi victory over Magnificat four days prior, and, most heartwarming of all, this was for their buddy, late superfan Zane Walker.
Read this sentence one time: Wadsworth is going to Columbus.
“We did it!” a giddy Johnson said. “Finally, man. It’s awesome, especially with our …”
Johnson then threw up the double quotations a la Dr. Evil from “Austin Powers” before saying “streak.”
The afternoon was fitting in the sense that nothing came easy. Why would anything come easy? The Grizzlies were never challenged seriously in Northeast Ohio circles and obliterated four tournament foes on their way to Saturday. The law of averages, cruel as it can be, fought back.
Maybe too pumped up, maybe struggling with awful lighting in an otherwise gorgeous gym or maybe thrown off-kilter because the Panthers weren’t guarding anyone inside 15 feet, Wadsworth was 3-for-18 in the first quarter and 8-for-33 in the half yet managed to lead 22-14 because of lights-out defense.
Johnson came alive in the decisive middle periods, most notably coming off a Lexi Lance screen, taking an inbounds pass from Sophia Fortner and drilling a corner 3-pointer to give Wadsworth is biggest lead at 29-15 just 74 seconds into the third. The Grizzlies never delivered the knockout punch against an admirable opponent — the game teetered on that moment multiple times — yet led 35-22 early in the fourth.
That’s when a four-corner offense nearly backfired, as Fortner and Johnson committed two turnovers apiece trying to burn clock. Whitmer guard Julia Kimmel was magnificent with 11 points in the fourth, getting the score to 38-33, 41-35 and 41-37 despite clutch steals by Jenna Johnson and Fortner.
The crowd could sense what was possible. The Associated Press state poll champion was on edge. One more oh-no play and a stunner of epic proportions could happen.
Jodi Johnson (29 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Fortner (4 points, 5 assists, 5 steals) refused to let their team lose.
Fortner split free throws at the 1:39 mark with the Sam Hunt song “House Party” playing in her head. Johnson then cut off Tyra James along the sideline, causing James to lose her balance out of bounds. Fortner split two more free throws and tipped away a Sara Semler pass out of the press, giving way for two more Johnson free throws that put Wadsworth up 45-37 with 46.7 seconds left.
That’s four points without Whitmer crossing half court.
“This happened,” Fortner said. “We worked hard for it, and we deserved it.”
Grizzlies coach Andrew Booth played out the scenario in the shower earlier in the day, and Wadsworth wasn’t going to hang back defensively and protect the lead. Given how the Grizzlies ironically took zero official shots over the final five minutes — Johnson was fouled on a driving layup attempt — they were going to live or die with their legendary press.
Big-time players ultimately made big-time plays. That’s what tournament basketball is all about.
“Those two are obviously two of the brightest basketball players that I’ve ever had the privilege to coach,” Booth said.
When the final buzzer sounded, Peyton Banks sprinted toward the bench, screaming in excitement before leaping into Lexi Lance’s arms at mid court. Jenna Johnson did the same with Olivia Chaney, while senior three-year starter Laurel Palitto teared up, knowing almost as well as Jodi Johnson the feeling of reaching a mountain summit that once felt impossible.
Jodi Johnson was Jodi Johnson, coolly jogging with her fist pumping in the air. She looked at her parents, Carol and Rick, in the middle of the stands and flashed a smile that has made her one of the most likeable kids in a long line of them from Wadsworth. She then joined her bubbly twin, Palitto and Chaney in a group hug alongside their teammates.
“I couldn’t see myself getting a little overemotional there,” Johnson said as tears began to build. “I’ve been able to hold it in until now.”
Freshman Maria Busson, who didn’t play Saturday but has Grizzly basketball in her blood as the little sister of Cara and Britt, began the net-cutting ceremony as the student section sang along to the Queen song “We Are the Champions.” Booth held the ladder as each player snipped her piece of history.
Knowing her team was saving her for last, Jodi Johnson mingled. She got a hug from always classy Notre Dame coach Travis Galloway and buried her head into the shoulder of former teammate Hannah Centea.
Finally it was time for Johnson’s ceremonial ending to an unforgettable afternoon.
“It’s awesome, it’s awesome, it’s awesome,” Johnson said.
Yes it is, kiddo, yes it is.
