A Closer Look - Season 1 (Kassy Johannsen)
It’s important to reach out to people and have them as contacts for all situations. Junior Kassy Johannsen knows all about that, but the contacts she has were formed from the bond her father had years before Kassy was born.
Kassy’s father, Andrew, played basketball in college alongside current head women’s basketball coach Mike Brandt as well as on opposing teams during their high school days.
After their playing days were over, the two remained friends while they raised up families and had their children.
“When Amaura and I were young, we had fun and spent time together, but that changed when they moved,” Kassy said.
Growing up, Kassy did not have too much interaction with the Brandt family, but her father still spoke to his former opponent and teammate from time to time.
Over the years, Kassy developed into a three-sport standout at Holy Family H.S., in Broomfield, Colo. She was a three-year letterwinner, garnering all-conference and all-state accolades as a senior. Kassy guided the team to a 73-4 mark. Outside of basketball, she excelled in track and field – where she was a four-year letterwinner and a three-time state qualifier in the high jump – and in volleyball, earning all-state accolades during a strong senior season. Kassy was a three-time all-conference honoree in volleyball and holds the school record for kills in a season (445).
By being such a diverse student-athlete that excelled in multiple sports, Kassy had several options when she decided where to attend college. She received offers from Colorado State and Northern Colorado to play volleyball, but her family also sent a basketball highlight video to Coach Brandt.
After sending in the video, Kassy visited USC Aiken. Having lived in Colorado her entire life, Kassy knew there was more outside the state borders.
“I wanted something different,” said Kassy. “I loved the environment on the visit and felt comfortable with everything at USC Aiken. The people on the team were extremely nice.
“Despite being so far away, my parents felt good about USC Aiken due to the relationship they had with Coach Brandt.”
Once Kassy decided to travel across the country and attend USC Aiken, the relationship she had with the Brandt family had no impact on her playing time or in how she was treated.
“Aside from move-in day when our families go to dinner together – when my father and Coach Brandt tell stories about their playing days – I’m treated just like every other member of the team.”
During her rookie season, Kassy played in 22 games but averaged just over six minutes a game. She accounted for 2.1 points and 1.2 rebounds. Last year, Kassy saw action in 29 games, while earning the starting nod on three occasions. Her numbers increased to 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
However, her role on the team increased as the season progressed. Kassy’s most impressive offensive performance came in a close loss at Flagler in Jan. 2014. She drained seven buckets from the floor for a career-high 15 points. Kassy also grabbed over five rebounds in three of the final seven games of the season, including nine in a win over the Saints in February.
A career 54 percent shooter from the floor, Kassy’s jumping ability led her to 36 blocks a season ago.
Although the path of which sport to play in college and what institution to choose for her education was unclear during her youth, Kassy’s connection landed her at USC Aiken. With the hard work she has put forth through the first two seasons, she is making a solid impact on the team and should continue that this season.
Despite being almost 1,600 miles away from home, Kassy knew she had friends in Aiken upon her arrival thanks to her family ties. Now, Kassy can say she reached her goal of wanting something different and having a great college experience.
USC Aiken provided the best of both worlds for junior Kassy Johannsen.
