Reported by: Kelly MartinThe toughest test of the school year for senior Dominique Johnson wasn’t in the classroom but on the basketball court.
It was one he and his Holmes High School teammates fell short on last year but not this year.
This year Johnson and the Bulldogs basketball team passed the test with flying colors when on March 21 they won the first state title in Holmes’ history.
For the seniors the thrilling 67-63 double-overtime win against Louisville Central stood for even more. It stood for passing the test of adversity. As freshman, the four played on a team that only won one game. That didn’t stop them, however,
“We knew what we wanted, and knew we were good enough,” Johnson said of the seniors on the team which included himself, Brandon Housely, JaMel Riley and James Rice. “We worked hard at it and that’s what got us here.”
In 2008 when the four were juniors they came ever so close, finishing as runners-up. For their senior year, they were determined.
Housley said the second place finish inspired them.
“That made us want it more,” he said. “This year, we were just hungry for it and we took it.”
Coach David Henley made sure his team knew what was at stake and what was required.
“I would always ask them, ‘How are you going to handle it: with toughness, pulling it together, or letting it snowball?’” Henley said.
For senior players, Henley’s motivation made them tough, taught them how to handle adversity with poise and made them realize they were capable of anything.
“I think we pretty much got that through our head this year by winning the state title,” Johnson said. “There is nothing like winning the state championship. That’s what you wish and hope for when you get older.”
Henley summed up the experience he proudly shared with his seniors.
“If you reach for the stars but land on the moon, you’ve done pretty good. But to reach for the stars, and land on the stars, so to speak, that’s what you dream of,” he said.
