CHICAGO (April 19, 2019) – Loyola University Chicago head women's basketball coach Kate Achter announced the signing of Jala Johnson (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy) to a National Letter of Intent on Friday.
 
"Jala is a competitor through and through," Achter said.  "Basketball is in her blood.  She is a proven winner, much like her counterparts in this 2019 class, and she comes from one of the most respected basketball schools in the state of Ohio."
 
Johnson recently completed a standout career at Notre Dame Academy under the direction of head coach Travis Galloway.  A three-time First Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) selection, Johnson racked up 1,154 career points (15.3 ppg) as she helped pilot the team to four straight league titles.
 
The 5-foot-8 point guard capped off her time at Notre Dame Academy with a superb senior campaign, adding 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.9 steals en route to being named both the TRAC and Northwest Ohio Division I Player of the Year.  Johnson, who also appeared on the club level for her father Kechan Johnson's Toledo Thunder, poured in a career-best 35 points in a victory over Findlay before sinking a last-second shot to send the Eagles past Canton McKinley in a thrilling victory in the Division I Regional Final, securing a berth in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Final Four.
 
"We love Jala's versatility and physical presence," Achter continued.  "She can score at all three levels, and really embraces the defensive end of the floor."
 
Johnson joins Loyola's previously announced trio of 2019 signees that includes Anna Brown (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee), Sam Galanopoulos (Skokie, Ill./Niles West) and Julia Hoefling (Norwood, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame).  Achter is also set to return 10 letterwinners from 2018-19, highlighted by First Team All-MVC honoree Abby O'Connor and Valley All-Freshmen Team selections Allison Day and Janae Gonzales.