Westmoreland athletes of the week: Jeannette’s Anthony Johnsson, GCC’s Anna Eisaman

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, January 25, 2018 | 7:39 AM

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Anthony Johnson

School: Jeannette

Sport: Basketball

Year: Junior

Claim to fame: Johnson, who is averaging 19 points per game this season, scored 31 to lead No. 3 Jeannette (9-2, 5-1) to an 87-57 win over Summit Academy in Section 1-2A on Jan. 19. Johnson led the Jayhawks with 27 points in a 77-49 victory against Greensburg Central Catholic on Jan. 16. Johnson was held to 16 points in the 47-42 loss to Leechburg on Saturday.

“It's getting better. It's been a long season so far,” Johnson said. “Coming from football, I was rusty. It was a little bit harder than I thought. We are starting to come together as a team and work towards our goal of a championship.”

What can the team take from the loss to Leechburg?

We have to be more mentally tough in an environment like that. We have to overcome that because that's what championship teams do.

What is it like to play alongside Robert Kennedy and Tre Cunningham?

It's fun to play together. We have a lot of chemistry from being on the football team together. They are a threat to score 20-plus every night. It's hard for teams to just key on me.

How was picking up football again this season for the state-champion Jayhawks?

It was great. I'm loving that I got back in football because I want to play football in college.

Who do you look forward to facing the most on the basketball court and why?

Monessen. It was a crazy game last year. They came to our place this year, and we were able to beat them.

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

(Jaquars cornerback) Jalen Ramsey. His attitude and confidence he carries on the field. He feels like he can dominate anyone he faces.

Anna Eisaman

School: Greensburg Central Catholic

Sport: Basketball

Year: Junior

Claim to fame: Eisaman, who is averaging 18 points, scored 24 to lead Greensburg Central Catholic (7-6, 6-2) to a 57-46 win over Jeannette in Section 3-2A action on Jan. 15. Eisaman led the Centurions with 21 points in a 52-35 win over Carmichaels on Jan. 17.

“I think this past week was good for not just me but for my team,” Eisaman said. “Winning the last five games has helped with our confidence, and we have been doing well since then.”

What has been the key to the team's success during the five-game winning streak?

I think the key is that we're a very unselfish team. We look for the open man. I think that's what helps us win as a team.

What was it like to go against someone like Jeannette's Dymond Crawford?

It's tough because she a really good player. She's strong and takes it to the hoop well. We had to stay on her and make sure we got back.

What is it like to be coached by your father, Joe?

It's definitely nice. I don't have anything else to compare it to because he has coached me for a long time.

What would it mean to make it back to the playoffs for an 18th consecutive season?

It would mean a lot. We've worked hard this year. We lost five seniors and not a lot of girls had a lot of varsity experience heading into the season.

If you were able to meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?

LeBron James because he's my favorite basketball player.

—Andrew John

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Jeannette