First-year Bloomington Kennedy coach Quintin Johnson walked into a guarded environment. The Eagles’ girls’ basketball program had lost its long-time coach with little explanation and nobody else, it seemed, was good enough for the job.

“It was tough with that group,” Johnson said. “It seems like it’s been a couple of seasons even though it’s only been one. Early on, they fought me a little bit and I had to make them believe in me.”

With the Eagles returning to the state tournament for the first time since 2006, Johnson achieved his goal.

Kennedy, 26-3 and the second seed in Class 4A, is thriving behind Johnson’s so-called “big three” of Jade Martin, Kenisha Bell, and Tonoia Wade. Earning this group’s trust was vital to Johnson and his team’s success.

The key was Martin, who went on to become a Star Tribune All-Metro first-team player. It took her a while to warm up to the new coach, and they both acknowledged that the senior didn’t understand his coaching style. She was more comfortable with the sets former coach Percy Wade used to call.

Johnson held firm, though, and finally the group embraced him.

“He’s been extremely patient and understanding with us,” Martin said. “We’ve come a long way from the beginning of the season. He’s helped us a lot.”

This was obvious in one of the Eagles’ rare losses, this one at Eastview. Martin and Johnson disagreed with his decision to bench her after a hard foul late in the game.

There was resolution the next morning, though. Johnson called Martin and the two discussed the matter for 45 minutes.

Teaching moments like that instilled a confidence between Johnson and his players that they believe can produce a state championship.

“We decided to get on his side and move forward,” Martin said. “We had to let it go.”

One thing Kennedy hasn’t let go of is a 65-61 loss to Hopkins in the first week of the season. Bell predicted a rematch in the state championship. If both teams win twice, the brackets are set to make it happen.