Corbin Johnson
by Cris Padilla
Since being able to walk, senior Corbin Johnson has had a love for basketball. "Having two older brothers that were big into basketball—I wanted to be just like them—so I started playing basketball at a very early age," Johnson said. "I love basketball because I can get away from the world, it's my happy place." Johnson said he understands and appreciates all the places and special opportunities he has been given because of the sport.
"Basketball has changed my life in so many ways,"he said. "It's opened a lot of doors for me, such as full-ride scholarships, making new friends and traveling around the country."
He said he realizes that putting in that extra practice and conditioning has helped him succeed. "It's also taken lots of sacrifice, missing out on things with my friends, practicing during late nights, and waking up for early mornings that most high schoolers wouldnât be doing."
Johnson has been a four-year varsity player.
"I love playing for my school and the name on my jersey, I take great pride in it and will miss it," Johnson said. "Playing at Kapaun you're playing for something bigger than yourself and thatâs an amazing feeling."
Johnson attended Magdalen where he was first introduced in eighth grade to his now coach Steve Eck.
Eck has coached many great players, having won seven state titles in 13 years. He said he has seen growth from Johnson.
"He was good coming in as a freshman but he wasn't very tall so I called him little man, and now he's about 6'3," Eck said. "He's got a mid-range jump shot now, he can dunk it, he can shoot it from outside, heâs put a lot of work in."
Having known Johnson so long, Eck has had lots of good memories with him. But the one that means the most to him was winning that state title.
"My favorite memory came last year when we won state but hopefully this won't be my last favorite memory and hopefully it wonât be over until we win it again."
While attending Magdalen, Johnson played with his now teammate junior Rocco Keller. Keller said Johnson has shown growth in basketball since then to now. "I was in seventh grade and he was in eighth when we played together," Keller said. "He honestly has just improved so much, like the shooting, that's always been there, but it's improved. He was No. 1 in the state last year, in 3-point percentage.â
Keller also said he has seen Johnson grow in leadership."
"He's learned from previous leaders like Will Thengvall and Will Anciaux and heâs definitely taken that role this year by making sure we have been in the gym and inviting us to shoot with him," Keller said. "He's been getting us ready for a big season. We want to repeat the winning state."
Johnson and the Crusaders won it all last year in the 5A KSHSAA playoff, defeating Kansas City-Piper High School in the championship. Johnson knows what it's going to take to make it back to the 5A State Championship game again but also realizes this is his last season to accomplish those goals he set for himself as a freshman.
"My plans for senior year are to get better every single day while helping and motivating my teammates to get better," Johnson said. "I want to leave my mark on the program and be there for my younger teammates, like my teammates were there for me, and I want to win back-to-back state championships. I also want to get more scholarship offers and be the Player of the Year. Most importantly grow closer to Christ and my teammates".
Johnson is still unsure on where he will attend college. He currently holds offers from Friends University, Virginia Military Institute, Emory and Henry University, and Newman University.