A CHRISTMAS WISH: Johnson, Lee Generals looking for normalcy after turbulent times
Robert E. Lee basketball coach Bryant Johnson has endured tragedy and difficulty in his life in the last year but continues to provide examples of leadership through it all. (Staff Report)
By GRAHAM DUNN
If there is such a thing as a sense of normalcy, Robert E. Lee coach Bryant Johnson would like to find it.
Lee’s longtime varsity basketball coach as well as the entire student body and administration can’t seem to find peace. The tragedies of life seemingly continue to mount against them.
With the arrival of Christmas and the holiday season, Johnson is ready for a reprieve.
“Behind every black cloud there is some sunshine,” Johnson said. “Hopefully the sun will shine on us some day.”
The Generals are back in action for the 2021-22 basketball season looking to avoid any interruptions that has plagued the program the last couple of years.
The team has dealt with severe complications from COVID-19, including losing members of the school’s coaching staff in Rodney Scott and Dwayne Berry in the last year.
There have been shutdowns of the school, quarantines and, unfortunately, loss of life.
Last season, the Generals managed to play 15 games with Johnson present for a little more than half of them.
All of that followed the heartbreak surrounding the loss of former players Rod Scott, Shaq Johnson and Jamari Smith. Then in August, senior football player Dmitri “Meech” McKee passed away after complications suffered on the practice field.
“It wasn’t about basketball last year,” Johnson said. “Even after that last game, I told them they were still winners at the end of the day, after enduring that tough season. I told them I loved them and I was proud of what they accomplished. They still made the playoffs after all that, which is amazing.”
The story, like so many others in 2020-21, was dominated by the virus that affected so many. It started right as the ’20 high school basketball season ended with Lee winning the school’s first-ever state title.
What followed would be catastrophic as the world all but shut down immediately with schools closing and most sporting events put on hold.
COVID-19 had arrived.
“We were fortunate to finish our season,” Johnson said. “There was no way to now what was about to happen next.”
The peril lasted through the summer and fall, although high school athletic programs got back on the field. But many were still feeling the affects of the virus.
“We started practicing in the second week of October (2020) and were able to practice even though school was shut down,” Johnson said. “Two weeks later, members of our staff were diagnosed with COVID. That’s also when Coach Scott passed.”
Johnson had his own issues with the virus. Not only did he have it, his wife, Sabrina, was hospitalized.
Lee came off quarantine and played in a tournament in Vestavia Hills without a practice session and still managed to win a couple of games.
After a trip to Dothan a few days later, the program had to quarantine again.
“I think we got in five games before we had to shut down,” Johnson said. “But it was tough on me to concentrate with my wife being in the hospital. The passing of Coach Scott… I also had to account for my 13-year-old son who was home by himself.”
There was other tragedy in the Johnson family when his mother passed away the day following the passing of Scott.
That was the last day of 2021. Johnson had enough and took a short leave of absence.
“I thought about taking the season off,” he explained. “Being away from the game allowed me to think. (My wife) wasn’t around so I thought basketball took me away from reality.
“But she helped me keep my sanity. She was there for me, even under those conditions.”
Meanwhile, the players were coping as best as they could. Games continued without their head coach.
Jakel Williams and the Generals are using the past to work through the season with hopes of another run at a state title like the program enjoyed in 2021. (Staff Photo)
“It was very hard, knowing that we had so much going on and trying to play,” stated Jakel Williams. “Coach’s mind was everywhere but he was trying to lead. Coach Scott meant so much to everybody and that made it hard to take.”
Johnson returned late in the season and the Generals reached the regionals before being eliminated. They finished 7-9. But finishing may have been a bigger accomplishment.
“We didn’t have the season we wanted but we were young and able to finish and that was bigger than we thought the time,” Williams said.
“They see the bigger picture now,” Johnson said. “Life is bigger than just being an athlete. They realize they an enjoy the moment and just enjoy playing basketball and having the ability. One day you have it and the next day you could be gone.”
Lee has returned but other issues keep returning. The incident with Henry Ruggs, III and his car crash that took a life back in October has certainly on the minds of players and coaches in the last few weeks. Johnson coached Ruggs from 2015-17 and stays in touch with him.
As with most of life, he prays Ruggs will find a way to use this tragedy for good.
“A few days ago, he called and it sounded like he was in good spirits,” Johnson said of a recent conversation with Ruggs. “That made me feel better because my mind was going in different directions. At the end of the day, I believe he will be better for this. I hate it for the others involved. My prayers are for them.
“(When it happened) I told the team that as you go through life, you have to be committed to something else. Hopefully that will lead you to excellence. God has a purpose in all of this. Hopefully he will use this for a great purpose.”
Lee has endured its struggles on the basketball court this season. Chances are the Generals will not win another state title. But at this point, getting past the next day seems to be all that matters.
“At the moment, we just feel blessed to play,” Williams said. “That’s more important right now.”