Air Force's Johnson more worried about basketball program than himself

On March 21, 2007, in the northeast corner of Clune Arena, then-sophomore Anwar Johnson leaped and extended his right arm as high as it would stretch.

As if in slow motion, the final seconds of Air Force's National Invitation Tournament quarterfinal against DePaul were bleeding off the clock. And with the Falcons clinging to a 52-51 lead, Johnson tried to disrupt a potential game-winning shot by the Blue Demons' Draelon Burns.

"I remember I was pushed off, and I could have easily just fell down and tried to take a charge," Johnson said this week. "But in that situation of the game, it's probably a no-call. So I just stayed on my feet."

He did just enough.

"It looked good, I'm not going to lie," Johnson said, smiling, about Burns' shot. "But it hit the back rim, and that was quite a moment there."

Indeed it was - Johnson sprinted up the floor, bouncing the ball high in the air, and much of the Clune crowd rushed the court and joined in one of the most joyful celebrations in program history.

That still-vivid memory stands in stark contrast to what Johnson has endured at Clune this season.

Today, he and fellow seniors Andrew Henke and Matt Holland play their final game at Clune. The Falcons are in a 14-game losing streak and have dropped a program-record eight in a row on their once-formidable floor.

But while Johnson admits a senior season hampered by a right foot injury and piles of losses has been "disappointing," he's got bigger worries.

"I'm more concerned about the program itself than me," he said.

Johnson wants more runs for the Falcons like he experienced in his first three seasons when Air Force went 66-30. So he has made a point to work with Air Force's freshman. He shares his experiences as a cadet and preaches the importance of time management.

 And he helps explain the Falcons' complicated offense during practices.

"He's been a very steady influence on all the young kids on and off the floor," Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said.

Johnson will do the same next season as a graduate assistant coach at the prep school.

"I experienced the best of times," he said. "And I hope in a couple of weeks, when I'm an alumni, that (the program) just continues to prosper."