Kaylee Johnson of Natrona Named Wyoming Gatorade Athlete of the Year

In its 27^th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, announced Kaylee Johnson of Natrona County High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Wyoming Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Johnson is the second Gatorade Wyoming Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Natrona County High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Johnson as Wyoming’s best high school girls basketball player.

Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award announced in March, Johnson joins an elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners, including Candace Parker (2003-04, 2002-03, & 2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Diana Taurasi (1998-99 & 1999-00, Don Antonio Lugo HS, Calif.), Maya Moore (2005-06 Collins Hill HS, Ga.), Rashanda McCants (2004-05, Asheville HS, N.C.), Shyra Ely (1999-00, Ben Davis HS, Ind.) and Lisa Leslie (1988-89, Morningside HS, Calif.).

The 6-foot-1 sophomore wing player led the Fillies to a 23-0 record and a berth in the Class 4A state tournament, scheduled for March 8.

Johnson averaged 21.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, 6.2 blocks, 2.8 steals and 2.6 assists while shooting 60 percent from the floor through 23 games. A two-time First Team All-Conference selection, she leads the state in scoring, blocked shots and field goal percentage this season.

Johnson has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. She has volunteered locally as an elementary school tutor, a youth basketball coach and as part of a fundraising campaign to benefit an area toddler who was born with multiple complications in her eye.

“Kaylee Johnson is the most natural leader I have coached in the last 19 years,” said Natrona County head coach Douglas Diehl. “She is very competitive and an incredible teammate. Her work ethic along with her classroom performance makes her the perfect role model for the younger kids in our program.”

Johnson will begin her junior year of high school this fall.