ARCANUM – Arcanum senior Stevie Johnting said she’s ready for the challenge of college basketball as she committed to Cedarville University on Tuesday afternoon.
Johnting, the daughter of Steve and Lisa Johnting, said she’s excited to begin her college journey upon graduation from Arcanum.
“It definitely will be a challenge, something bigger than Arcanum for sure,” Johnting said. “But I’m ready, and I’m excited for a new start.”
It’s been Johnting’s dream to go on to the college level, Arcanum girls basketball coach Matt Grote said, and he’s excited to see a great kid achieve her goal.
“It’s awesome. I know it’s been a dream of hers to play college ball,” Grote said. “Just to see a kid work hard and have a dream come true is awesome.”
Johnting, a first team all-Cross County Conference honoree as a junior, led Arcanum with 13.7 points per game last year. She also had 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during her junior season.
“She has a drive,” Grote said. “She’s very determined as a player. She wants to get things right. She’s always in the gym shooting.”
It’s Johnting’s drive and attention to detail that’s made her a great player, Grote said.
“Her effort is great,” the Arcanum coach said. “She always runs the floor well. When she gets to college I think that’s going to be a huge trait they admire.”
Johnting, who plans to study elementary education in college, was drawn to Cedarville because of it felt like home.
“It just felt more like home,” she said. “They’re a very good school academically and athletically, and I just felt like I would fit in there the most.”
Being close to home will allow Johnting’s family to come and see her play often. And when she’s away from home the people at Cedarville will be like family, she said.
“They’re a very family-oriented college,” she said. “They’re all close down there.”
As someone who can create her own opportunities and make almost 50 percent of her shots from the floor, Arcanum will rely heavily on Johnting this season, Grote said. He’s confident she’ll be able to find similar success with the Yellow Jackets.
“I think she’s determined and she’s dedicated to the game,” Grote said. “She’ll find a way. One way or another she’ll be successful.”