WASILLA — During her time at Wasilla High School, Jenna Johnson has excelled in several different sports.

Whether it was soccer, track, volleyball or even powder puff girls’ football, Johnson stood out.

But when it comes to Wasilla athletics, there was one spot that Johnson truly felt at home — the basketball court.

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And now the Wasilla High School senior standout has found a new home for the next four years.

On Monday, surrounded by her coaches, friends, teammates and family, Johnson signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at Division I Utah State.

“I love the game. No other sport has felt so great to play,” Johnson said.

By inking her intent to join the Western Athletic Conference program, Johnson is also ensured of a full-ride scholarship to attend the Logan, Utah, school.

“It’s such a privilege to be playing at the next level, playing DI,” Johnson said. “I’m pretty lucky to be that person.”

Johnson found instant success with the Wasilla program. She started as a freshman, helped the Warriors win a state title as a sophomore and was named Northern Lights Conference Player of the Year and first-team all-state as a junior. Now she becomes just the second player in the history of the WHS girls’ basketball program to sign with a Division I school.

Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax said she always knew there was something special about Johnson.

“You could tell she had a lot of natural ability,” Hebert-Truax, who also played Division I basketball, said. “It’s not too often at Wasilla High School a freshman starts for me. Now she’ll be a starter for four years.”

In addition to her athletic talents, Hebert-Truax said Johnson also has the attitude and work ethic needed to succeed at a high level.

“She doesn’t care about the rewards. Obviously she likes to win, she’s going to go out there and do the best she can,” Hebert-Truax said. “One thing I never have to worry about with Jenna is she’s going to do whatever I ask her. With that kind of dedication and commitment to herself as an individual and to the game of basketball, I look for her to be very successful.”

Johnson said she considered a handful of Division I programs, but Utah State always stood at the top of the list.

“Since the recruiting process started I was leaning toward different schools, but Utah State was always in the back of my head,” Johnson said. “The coach was the first one to call me and they were always the ones more into talking to me. Having that in the back of my head, it just seems that was the school for me ever since I started.”

Montana and Portland were among the schools also under consideration, but Johnson felt Utah State and the city of Logan were the best fit for her.

“I love the atmosphere,” Johnson said of Logan. “The coach was a big factor. You can tell she loves to coach and she loves the game.”

Hebert-Truax said she also felt the attitude and personality of Utah State head coach Raegan Pebley would be good for Johnson.

In a press release issued by Utah State athletics, Pebley also saw the addition of Johnson as a good fit for the program.

“Jenna provides size, versatility, athleticism and grit,” Pebley said in the release. “It was clear during the recruiting process that Jenna and Utah State were a great fit on and off the floor.”

Hebert-Truax said she expects Johnson to have the opportunity to contribute as a freshman. Johnson said she will most likely not redshirt and is eager to work her way into the rotation.

“There’s no promise that I’ll play, but there’s a chance, and if I work my hardest, I should get some playing time,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as a junior, is the second Wasilla girls’ basketball player to sign a Division I intent, joining Chandice Cronk who capped a four-year career at Santa Clara in the spring.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Hebert-Truax said. “In 15 years of coaching, she’s the second one to go Division I. It’s pretty awesome.”

Hebert-Truax was also a Division I standout, starring at the University of Miami (Fla.) and is now a member of the Hurricane Hall of Fame.

“She’s been the biggest role model for me,” Johnson said of her prep coach. “I’ve looked up to her ever since I started playing.”

Johnson also credited her time with the Alaska Lady Hoops competitive travel program.

“I think that’s how I probably got my scholarship,” Johnson said. “Going down to all those AAU tournaments. That’s where I got all my scouting, got the opportunity to get better.”

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.