Johnson returns to Shelbyville

Recently-named Lebanon High girls basketball coach Ashley Johnson brought her team to her alma mater for the annual Eaglette team camp. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Former Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglette and University of Mississippi basketball standout Ashley Johnson has returned to familiar ground this week.

Johnson, recently named girls basketball coach at Lebanon High, and her Devilettes are participating in Shelbyville Central's team camp.

The former Class AAA Miss Basketball has many fond memories of her playing days in high school and says she's thrilled about her return to the area.

"I'm really excited about coming back to middle Tennessee since I've been away for about seven years now and I'm also excited about the basketball program at Lebanon and the opportunity they game me," Johnson said. "Participating in this team camp has brought back so many memories. It's such a big difference being here as a coach compared to back when I was a player. It's also different being here as a visitor instead of a member of the Eaglette program."

Johnson has a great athletic pedigree. Her former high school coach, Middle Tennessee State women's coach Rick Insell, says he noticed that when she was a player and thinks it will continue to help her as a coach.

Ashley Johnson had a great college career at Ole Miss. (University of Mississippi photo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Ashley Johnson is just such a special person and I know she's going to be a very successful coach," Insell said. "She comes from a great family and when the Lebanon athletic director called me and asked me what I thought about Ashley Johnson, I had no problem at all in giving her a great recommendation. She is a winner and she has proven that all her life."

Johnson says she realizes Insell was the best mentor any young coach could have played under.

"If I can apply everything he taught me I will be a pretty good coach," Johnson said. "He taught me the fundamentals of the game, how to be mentally tough and how to work hard. I think those things help separate good teams from great teams. He also taught me so much off the court that I can apply to anything in life."

She was named Miss Basketball in 2002, her senior year, and helped guide the Eaglettes to a state championship in her sophomore and senior years.