Player Highlight: Seth Johnson, Men’s Basketball
Lakeland men's basketball have a goal to elevate at the right time this year and Seth Johnson is doing his part to make that happen.
The third year transfer from Toronto, Ontario has been a welcome addition to the backcourt for the Rustlers, as this talented roster aims for ACAC gold. Bringing multiple years of U-Sports experience at Lakehead University, Johnson said he's embracing the change of a smaller campus and city.
"There's less distractions so you can just focus on your books and your ball," he said. "Small community means deeper relationships, better networking. The first couple weeks, I didn't too many people, but as the weeks went on, I built stronger relationships with coaches and other athletes and professors. Now there's lots of people get to say hit to in the hallway between classes."
"I've also learned more about myself in terms of time management, how I set up my days with studying and other things."
Because of their varied skill sets, Johnson and his teammates Taleh Wade and Baha Salma can switch frequently on both sides of the ball, not limiting one player to being a point guard or shooting guard. That two-way presence is something that the team's coaching staff have liked so far.
"He's able to make plays at the rim and shoot the ball and his off-ball defence, getting steals, has been clutch for us during the early going of the season," Coach Sheray Thomas said.
"We have a lot of different key players who have a lot to be able to impact the team," he said. "Defence is a key thing we are working on, so if we can be on the same page defensively, it should be scary for our opponents."
Thomas said Johnson has made a big impact on the squad both on and off the court.
"His personality is something that imprints on a team, his vocal leadership has been great and his willingness to do what it takes and his openness to listen has been excellent," Thomas said.
"I can help support the group, the young guys, by keeping communication going and slowing things down," Johnson said. "We have a lot of energy and sometimes play frantically, so being able to slow things down and keep everyone calm and poised should make me a good asset."
Another unique aspect of Johnson's integration into the team is his videography. A hobby that started two years ago near the end of his time at Lakehead, the veteran guard started filming basketball workouts and interactions with teammates, before he decided to take it a step further with a proper video camera.
"I figure I could document my life so my kids or my family can look back on my life," Johnson said. "Also, I like the creative aspect of bringing an idea to fruition, seeing something and getting others or myself being able to act out a visual idea. Being at Lakeland is a new chapter for me, so this is keeping things creative and fun."
He'll have several opportunities for creativity in the coming weeks, as the basketball teams are on the road for the next four games of the season. Johnson said the group is embracing that as they continue to build chemistry.
"We gave ourselves a mindset of being road warriors, mentally and physically," he said. "Keeping our body right, keeping our own energy, giving off good energy, from the players through to the coaching staff."
Seth Johnson is taking Business Administration here at Lakeland College. He and the rest of the men's basketball team are in Olds Friday night to take on the Broncos.