BELOIT—Asha Johnson is aware that her Beloit Memorial girls basketball team might not look the most intimidating on paper as it heads into the postseason.
After all, the Purple Knights sit at a modest 8-12 and went 5-7 in the Southern Lakes Conference to finish in the middle of the pack.
But Johnson knows that there is a lot more to this team than what any number can show. And even some outsiders are starting to catch on.
“When we were playing Union Grove both times (at the end of the season), they had some recruiters there for Union Grove,” Johnson said. “And the recruiter came up to me and said, ‘You know what? (Your) record does not accurately represent the amount of talent (you) have.’”
Trying to factor in wins and losses when talking about this Beloit team becomes even less valuable when you add in the fact that it has played two less games than all the other SLC teams.
Both of the Knights’ matchups against Westosha Central were canceled after an incident on Dec. 19 at Westosha Central during a jayvee game led to Dilonna Johnson choosing to forgo playing the varsity game because she feared an unsafe environment had developed at the school.
After a confrontation with a referee as well as school officials from Westosha Central during the jayvee contest, Johnson sought and received permission from the Beloit District to leave. She said as the Beloit team exited the gym, a handful of Westosha Central cheerleaders, student athletes, parents and fans started making noises and gestures like they were gorillas.
The schools agreed to jointly discuss what happened and that an investigation would take place. Nothing has since been publicly disclosed concerning any aftermath from what happened in Salem, Wis.
“I told the girls that although our record is 8-12, those two games against Westosha I would have counted as wins,” Johnson continued. “I can guarantee you we are one of the only teams in this conference, let alone in Wisconsin, that has had to deal with the amount of adversity that Beloit Memorial High School girls have. In our hearts, we know what we’re capable of.”
And then there’s the fact that Johnson, who started the season as an assistant, is currently the acting head coach after Dilonna Johnson was placed on administrative leave. An explanation for the reason has still not been provided by Superintendent Willie Garrison nor by the district, beyond communication that it is “until further notice.”
Several players and parents spoke up at a Beloit School Board meeting on Tuesday in support of Dilonna Johnson and citing the love and support they have received from her on and off the court over the years.
“Advocating for our coach — I was telling them it is a skill set that’s going to serve you for the rest of your life,” Asha Johnson said. “As you learn how to compartmentalize your emotions, but then to also speak on your emotions, those are two huge skills that I don’t think adults are giving the girls enough credit for.”
But through it all, the Knights still have a game to play. 12th-seeded Beloit will travel to face fifth-seeded Waunakee on Friday for a WIAA Division 1 regional opener at 6:30 p.m.
If Beloit were to win, it would play the victor of No. 13 Sun Prairie West and No. 4 Kettle Moraine on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Warriors finished 12-12 overall and placed fourth in the Badger Large Conference at 6-8.
“Both teams have had some ups and downs this season,” Johnson said. “They have a couple studs on their team: (Tessa Bryan, Abbey Eberle and Claire Meudt). They’re tough, impact players.”
Meudt averages nearly 17 points per game while Audrey Meudt grabs 6.3 rebounds and dishes out 3.9 assists per game.
The Knights’ scoring is centered around the strong post play of LaNasia Dubois (13.5 ppg) and Kamille Thomas (11.7) combined with solid perimeter shooting from Jocelyn Tibbetts (12.1).
“LaNasia has mamba in her blood,” Johnson said. “Losing coach DJ for these last five, six games impacted her and SaDera (Richardson) the most as they’re the point guards and constantly are checking in with her. Through this adversity, they found a new sense of internal strength. This is the true test right here (as they) lead the team without her.”
And Beloit has found a great young duo in freshmen Jhalia Barber and Asharia Koch, who leads the team with 7.2 rebounds per game.
“Those freshmen, I don’t think they realized how good they are until they saw their impact,” Johnson said. “When they come off the bench, nearly every time the game would shift in our favor. Whether that’s getting three or four stops or the freshman hustle to get a rebound and put it back.”
The Knights hope to keep a season alive where they won eight games for the first time since the 2010-11 season. If they win on Friday, it’ll be the first time since 2009-10, when they went 10-14, that they won nine or more games.
“Whoever plays the hardest,” Johnson said. “Whoever steps up and steps into their role for the longest, that is what’s going to win the game.”
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