Johnson missed all of the 2021 season with a broken femur. She was still part of the St. Michael-Albertville squad on the bench.

“I learned a ton,” Johnson said. “I learned about my teammates and the entire game. It helped me a lot.”

Knights coach Kent Hamre echoed the learning sentiment.

“I think last year was a learning moment for her,” Hamre said. “She sat back and didn’t take anything for granted.”

Johnson returned to the floor this season and looked like she hadn’t missed a step. She entered the section final averaging more than 21 points per game.

“We tell her to take over,” Hamre said. “Then, she just takes over.”

Johnson followed her coach’s advice and stole the show and knocked down eight shots to finish the half with 19 points. She had the same number of points as the entire Rogers team did.

“The key was that I knew I’m winning the game for us,” Johnson said.

Trailing by 13 at half, the Royals came out in the second half ready to make a charge. And they did so. That included starting the half on a 9-2 run.

“We started to believe that we could stick with them and defend,” Rogers coach Karlee Anderson said. “We also played strong defense and got the ball inside.” 

Eventually, Rogers eliminated the deficit, tying the game on multiple occasions. That included when the game was tied at 50 late in the second half.

From there, St. Michael-Albertville took over. The Knights went on an 11-0 run that included key shots from a number of players, including Johnson.

“We knew that in the first half we played our game,” Johnson said. “We dug deep and played our game again.”

The run ended Rogers’ chances at a section championship. The Royals took a big step this season after finishing around .500 a season ago and falling in the section semifinals.

“I just wonder what would’ve happened if we weren’t down by 13 at half,” Anderson said. “I’m so proud of these girls. They battled every single second of this game.”

With the Knights firmly ahead, Johnson checked out late in the half to a standing ovation from the St. Michael-Albertville crowd. Hamre was right there to hug and congratulate his top scorer.

“It was such a big moment after she was sitting on the bench last year,” Hamre said. “It’s been a heckuva run for Tessa.”