The Cougars were honored with their third Skyline Conference player of the year in four years recently as Justine Johnson picked up where former Illinois Valley High standout Jessame Kendall left off two years ago.

"We're working hard at it, but it's not something we expect every year," Illinois Valley coach Greg Nygren says. "There's a lot of quality players out there in our league each year. I don't know what makes us so deserving each year."

Be it something special in the water or plain old hard work, Johnson posted a year to remember for the Cougars. The senior right-hander posted a 1.40 ERA during the regular season and an 18-9 overall record in helping IV finish second in the Skyline Conference at 15-6.

Henley ran away with the league title at 21-0, but it was Johnson who attained the top individual honor.

"I was very, very surprised to win," Johnson says. "I thought at best I would get first team because I got it last year. But even then I didn't think I'd improved enough to get it again."

Johnson posted 144 strikeouts in 125 innings during the regular season and allowed no earned runs in Illinois Valley's two playoff contests.

As strong as those numbers were, they carried a little more weight considering the Cougars started five sophomores in the field and a freshman at designated hitter.

"I never, ever expected to go where we did this year with the young team we had," Johnson says. "But they came through, and I think they can do it again next year."

Nygren gives much of the credit for his team's success to Johnson's effort as role model for her young teammates.

"She not only pitched well, but she was a great captain and team leader," the coach says. "She came out each day and set an example for hard work. I'm real happy the coaches recognized her hard work and how much she meant for our team. She rallied the troops behind her."

Johnson admits having such an inexperienced cast around her, combined with the duties of pitching every game, proved a little distracting.

"At first, I was scared because I wondered what would happen if I fell apart or something," she says. "After a while, I got used to it and I loved it. I love being on the mound."

Johnson won't have to end that love affair any time soon, thanks to a scholarship to Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay. She will continue to pitch, maybe even with the same flair Kendall showed after high school. Kendall, who won Skyline Conference player of the year in 1996 and '97, recently pitched Humboldt State University to its first NCAA Division II softball title. The sophomore lefty also set a school record for victories, going 33-3 with a 0.87 ERA.

"She was a great role model for me," Johnson says. "I'm glad I got to spend those years watching her."

Besides Johnson, senior catcher Becky McDowell and junior infielder Emily Hoskins earned first-team honors for Illinois Valley. Henley and Mazama each had three players on the first team, while Phoenix, Rogue River and Lakeview each had one.

Senior outfielder Carla Roberts of Phoenix and senior designated hitter Leah Sittingdown of Rogue River earned spots on the first team.

Henley's Steve Rooklidge and Lakeview's Rick Gage were co-coaches of the year honor.

Skyline Conference All-Stars

C -- Becky McDowell, Illinois Valley sr.
P -- Mandy Hargrave, Henley sr.
P -- Justine Johnson, Illinois Valley sr.
1B -- Lois Shoemaker, Henley jr.
INF -- Brianne Miller, Henley sr.
INF -- Emily Hoskins, Illinois Valley jr.
INF -- Carly Blank, Mazama so.
OF -- Carla Roberts, Phoenix sr.
OF -- Shaye Eubanks, Mazama jr.
OF -- Emily Guetzloe, Mazama sr.
DH -- Leah Sittingdown, Rogue River sr.
UTL -- Katie Ruda, Lakeview sr.