Dilonna Johnson is Headed to Drake University

Dilonna Johnson has one more basketball season as a Lady Knight before she becomes a bulldog – a Drake University Bulldog.

The senior signed her letter of intent to play with the Division 1 university located in Des Moines, IA, Monday afternoon. She earned a basketball scholarship after two years playing point guard with the Knights.

In the 2010-11 season Johnson averaged 15.7 points a game and has scored more than 1,000 points in her high school basketball career. Johnson helped lead the Knights to an undefeated regular season and as the team finished with 26-1 record.

She was a unanimous selection for 1st Team All-Conference and was also named as a First Team Division 3 All-State pick. She earned first team all-conference honors as a freshman at Heritage Christian High School before transferring to Dominican for her sophomore season.

Dominican coach Kevin Schramka said she elevated the status of the school's basketball program, boosting the team's wins by 47 games in two years.

"Dominican is very fortunate to have someone of her caliber play for us," he said.

Johnson is more than just a skilled basketball player, though. She has also made the high honor roll every year, is a member of the Dominican National Honor Society and currently maintains a GPA of 3.8. Schramka, who is also Johnson's religion teacher, said she is an all-around well-rounded person.

"She's a better person than she is an athlete, and she's an amazing athlete," he said.

Johnson said she picked Drake because it has great academic programs, a good basketball team and it isn't too far from home. She said she plans to major in business and finance.

"After I leave there, I know that I will be able to get a job," she said.

Drake head coach Amy Stephens is happy to have Johnson join the team.

“Dilona will play some point for us next year,” Stephens said. “She had great court awareness and will add depth to our point position.”

Her dad, Derrick Johnson, spoke to a group of more than 50 friends, family members and classmates on hand during a ceremony Monday afternoon and recalled her desire for winning ever since she was a young girl.

"She has a beautiful stroke, she is a beautiful person, and I'm proud to say I'm her dad," he said.