Johnson, who received the news on February 20, said the selection came as a surprise to her.

“I was pretty stoked to make the team,” she said. “I’ve just been out for six months with a ligament injury. To be able to get on the court and make the team is amazing.” There is currently nine weeks until the national competition in Geelong, Victoria. In the lead-up to the competition, Johnson will attend four weekend basketball camps. The basketball camps will focus on offence, defence and individual skills as well as a focus on fitness.

This isn’t the first time Johnson has represented the state. She has previously competed in the under 16s team. She said playing with some of the girls since was a 12-year-old was an advantage.

“There’s nothing like representing your state with girls you’ve competed with since you were 12,” she said.

“It will be good to see friends from other states as well.” Johnson said her family and friends were excited to hear about her selection in the under 18s team. “My family is always so supportive. We were so excited to hear about this, but we were surprised [due to the injuries]. I’ve been out for a while,” she said. “A lot my mates who already play have been good too.”

Johnson thanked several people for helping her with her basketball career.

“I’d like to give a shout out to [my friend] Simone Inwood. She got me into basketball. She asked if I wanted to play in the local competition,” she said.

“I’d also like to thank my coach Rose Parmenter, coach John Hargreaves, the Chevalier College boys and girls team, the Illawarra Basketball representative under 18s team and coach Wendy Brown and all of Basketball NSW.”