With home base more than three hours southwest of the Twin Cities, Johnson hasn’t been a player we’ve been able to see in person as much as we’d like. That meant that we were going to need to take every opportunity we had to watch the Luverne standout this summer. We’re glad we did! Playing for the Sioux Falls-based Hoop City 16U squad, Taya was a walking double-double all throughout the AAU season. The 6’1 forward’s overall skillset has grown immensely, and with a big frame, skilled footwork around the rim, and a sizable motor at her disposal, she proved to be a matchup nightmare for many opponents. While the Cardinals junior is still relatively unknown across Minnesota, it’s evident to us that she’s been putting in the work.

A consistent contributor for Hoop City all weekend, we liked what we saw from Johnson at the Meltdown. The 6’1 forward was a force to be reckoned with on defense, using her strength and physical style of play to block shots, make hustle plays, and control the boards. The sheer effort that Taya puts in on the defensive end makes her a tough matchup for most opponents. On the other end of  the court, the Luverne junior fought hard for positioning on the block, sealing her defender behind her to get wide open looks. Johnson didn’t just live in the paint, though. Extending her game out to the perimeter, Taya found several open looks along the three-point line.