Shelbyville Central senior Sha'Para Johnson signed recently to play basketball at Carson-Newman. With Johnson, seated, are her mother, Renelda Burnley, and Eaglette head coach Lynn Burkey. Standing, from left, are Shelbyville assistant coaches LaBora McCroskey, Misty Thompson and Jana Reynolds. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Sha'Para Johnson has witnessed firsthand how hard work in the classroom and on the basketball court can pay off.

The talented Shelbyville Central senior recently signed a letter of intent to continue her education and her basketball career at Carson-Newman in Jefferson City.

"I'm very thankful for the chance to go to college and play basketball," Johnson said. "Carson-Newman is a real nice campus and I really like the coaching staff. On my visit I had a chance to meet some of the players and I really got along with them real well. It's in a small community that kind of reminds me of Shelbyville and I feel it's a good school for me to go to."

A four-year starter for the Eaglettes, Johnson developed into an outstanding student as well as basketball player.

She graduated with a 3.5 GPA and won numerous awards for her basketball achievements. Future plans include becoming an accountant.

"As a freshman coach (Rick) Insell needed a point guard and he stuck her in there and she has really improved each year from that point," Shelbyville coach Lynn Burkey said. "A lot of kids don't make that consistent improvement but every year Sha' Para's raised the level of her game. That, along with taking care of her grades, is why she's signing a full college scholarship right now. I couldn't be more proud of a player."

Johnson credits being a part of the Eaglette basketball program for her current and future success.

"Being an Eaglette is more than playing basketball. We're encouraged to make good grades and become a positive influence in the community. I think that will help me when I get to college because that is what they are going to expect, too," Johnson said.

Johnson, a 5-foot-8 guard, averaged nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals a game as a senior, leading the Eaglettes to a 26-6 record and a state tournament appearance.

She was named MVP of the team her senior year and was named All-American Honorable Mention by The Sporting News.

The combo-guard was ranked 77th nationally by Blue Star, and is a three-time all-district, all-region and all-region tournament selection.

"Sha'Para gives us a lockdown, aggressive defender at the point position," Carson-Newman coach Dean Walsh said. "Her athleticism, quickness and length are what we need to be competitive not only in the SAC (South Atlantic Conference) but also on the national level. She is a four-tool player that can push, attack, defend, and shoot. We are fortunate to have her joining our program."