The Saints coaching staff weclomes new Assistant Coach Mandi Johnson (right), pictured with Head Coach Dorene Ingalls (left) and Assistant Coach Doug Ingalls, to the team. Mandi Johnson, a 2002 graduate of LaSalle High School (LHS), returned home to teach sixth grade in the St. Ignace Middle School this fall and has become the new assistant coach for the Saints girls varsity basketball team.

The four-year varsity player enjoyed a tremendous amount of success during her years with the Saints and with Lake Superior State University, where she played college basketball with the Lakers program.

"Mandi has added so much to our program, and with her experience, she relates to the players," said Head Coach Dorene Ingalls. "She works with all the players, but especially the girls playing inside, along with rebounding and boxing out."

Johnson, known as an inside enforcer as a player, still holds LHS records in career steals with 502, the single season steal mark of 150, and career rebounding record with 793.

Her career steal mark ranks seventh overall in the state for girls basketball.

During her varsity career with the Saints, Johnson compiled a 97- 6 overall record that included four conference titles, a 20-4 team record in 1998, a 26-1 record and state championship in 1999, a repeated 26-1 regular season with another state crown in 2000, and a 25-1 record and third final four appearance in 2001.

"Mandi has made each girl better and the players respect and appreciate her effort," said Coach Ingalls.