Dominitrix: Act II

Long before Dominitrix Johnson stepped on a high school basketball court, David Heeb knew he was going to be special.

"I've known Dom for years and coached him in little league baseball, AAU basketball, junior high basketball É and every step along the way, there was something special about him," Heeb said. "You could just see it.

"The thing that makes him so special is the harder something gets the better Dom is. You just cannot break his spirit. He always thinks he is going to succeed, and he usually does."

Indeed he has.

After leading Bell City to two state titles in three seasons, Johnson has become a leader at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Heading into Saturday's win at John A. Logan, he was averaging 20.3 points per game to lead the Raiders (12-2) in scoring. He scored 34 points in an 86-74 win at Wabash Valley (Ill.) on Nov. 18 and 32 against Bevill (Ala.) State on Thanksgiving night.

"Dominitrix has really stepped up," Three Rivers coach Gene Bess said. "Up to this point, it's almost been like as Dominitrix goes, the Raiders go. Of course, we're 10-2 and he's been a huge factor in our success to this point."

Almost as amazing has been Johnson's 3-point shooting. On the season, Johnson has shot 48 percent (43-of-90) behind the 3-point arc, including a 10-of-13 performance against Bevill State.

"Of course, that's his primary strength is his shooting," said Bess. "But he plays point and does a good job taking care of the ball and dishing the ball to his teammates.

"He's very unselfish and then he oftentimes guards the best player on the other team, so he's a complete player. I think he's got a great future someplace. I think he can go pretty high Division I in my opinion."

With Johnson's background, it is not surprising he has become the Raiders' leader.

"I think that he kind of leads by example," Bess said. "He's been much better this year than he was last year as far as just leadership and as far as him being able to kind of take over things.

"But it's really good to get a player out of Bell City. Coach Heeb's very dedicated.

"[Johnson] is a winner, and you can't have too many winners in your program. That's something we really try to get is as many players that have had really good senior years as we can."

However, Johnson has not let being Three Rivers' primary option go to his head.

"I don't look to carry the team, but I just look to get everybody involved," he said. "Sometimes, I think the object for a leader is to step up when you need it in big situations."

Bess believes Johnson might be the player who can help get the Raiders back to the NJCAA tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. in March.

"He's such an unselfish player," said Bess. "He's going to try to take this team on his back and get us where we want to go."

It has been a long road to the top for Johnson.

Midway through a promising freshman season at Scott County Central, Johnson tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, cutting his season short.

After the season, Johnson moved to Bell City, where he was reunited with Heeb, who Johnson first played for as a 9-year-old Little League baseball player.

The results at Bell City were immediate. With C.J. Hadley also moving to Bell City from St. Louis, the Cubs improved from 16-11 in Heeb's first season to winning the Class 1 state title in his second. For his efforts, Johnson was named the Southeast Missourian Player of the Year, an award he won again as a senior.

"All the success that we had at Bell City wouldn't have happened without Dominitrix," said Heeb. "We had several other good players while I was there, but he was the guy who made it all happen. He just set such a good example for those young kids.

"He was such a hard worker and he was always the most unselfish guy on the team. He just commanded respect from his teammates and made everybody on the team better. He was a dream to coach."

After the Cubs were upset by Clarkton in sectional play in Johnson's junior year, he had a senior year to remember, averaging 29.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game to lead Bell City to another state title.

Even though he received interest from several Division I basketball teams, Johnson chose to play two years at Three Rivers, where he earned all-conference and all-region honors as a freshman. He was named a third-team preseason All-American in the National Junior College Athletic Association this season.

Johnson credits Heeb for preparing him for the next level.

"I think coach Heeb got me ready mentally and physically," Johnson said. "He also wanted me to be a leader at Bell City. He was a big motivator and big part in getting me ready for the next level."

Heeb, who is now the head basketball coach at Scott County Central, is not surprised by Johnson's success.

"I'm really happy for him that he is doing so well, but I'm not surprised at all," Heeb said. "I knew that it was just a matter of time before Dom started to play like he is now. God has truly blessed Dominitrix.

"He had more success in high school than most people can imagine, and now he is getting the chance to play for coach Bess, who is probably the best coach in the country. I hope he can keep playing like he is and further his education after TRCC. I'm just so proud of him."