Elkins Duo Signs

JOHNSON HEADED TO NORTH ARK, WILSON TO UA-FORT SMITH

SUBMITTED PHOTO Skyler Johnson of Elkins signs Wednesday to play basketball at North Arkansas Community College during a ceremony in the Elkins gymnasium.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Skyler Johnson of Elkins signs Wednesday to play basketball at North Arkansas Community College during a ceremony in the Elkins gymnasium.

— Andrea Wilson and Skyler Johnson were the two key pieces in a major resurgence of success with the Elkins girls' basketball program the past couple of years. Wednesday, both Wilson and Johnson capped off their hard work as Lady Elks by signing to play at the next level.

Wilson, a 5-foot-9 senior, signed with Arkansas-Fort Smith, while Johnson, a 5-10 senior, inked with North Arkansas Community College.

"This is very exciting," Elkins girls basketball coach Monica Wells said. "These are two really good people is the main thing, and they'll continue to grow whether it's in basketball or in life.

"They were raised to be good people, and they were exceptional on the court for the Lady Elks."

Wilson was named all-state and all-conference this season, averaging 15 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. Her decision to attend UA-Fort Smith became clear after first visiting the school in her sophomore season.

"It's close to home, it's a clean and nice campus and the coaches are really nice," Wilson said. "Then when I met the team, I really liked them, and that made me feel right at home."

Johnson was also an all-state and all-conference pick for the Lady Elks this season. A three-year starter, she averaged 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds in her senior year.

Johnson considered other schools, including Iowa and Henderson State; she chose the one option that could keep her closest to family.

"When I made up my mind it was kind of a personal decision," Johnson said. "My grandfather's health kind of forced me to stay closer to home, but I'm very happy with my decision.

"I really like their team chemistry (at North Arkansas). All four years at Elkins we really bonded, and with the girls there, I really clicked."

Elkins won back-to-back 3A-1 West district regular season titles the last two seasons behind the play of Johnson and Wilson. The Lady Elks advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals during the two player's junior season in 2013.

"Those two kids, I've know them since the little bitty times," Wells said. "They've been fun all the way through, but they've also contributed so much to the Lady Elks success."

Sports on 04/17/2014

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