The Salt Lakers Basketball Club story began in 1994 when a friend asked Mishon Johnson to help coach his daughters Jr. High School Basketball Team. Mishon said yes, and then asked Mike Tolbert to help with the team.
Before being a basketball coach, Mishon coached football for several years. Tackling the challenge of coaching girls basketball was different than anything we had experienced in coaching. We did our homework (coaches clinics, reading books, watching videos, studying different types of basketball styles) and concentrated on teaching our team the fundamentals of basketball. The Jr. High Team we coached finished 3rd (St Anns catholic school) in the Catholic League. We had a lot of fun coaching the girls in the Catholic League and some of the girls were looking for a team to play on over the spring and summer. So we decided to coach girls basketball and started a girls club, the Salt Lakers Basketball Club Team. After months of preparation, the team competed in the 1995 AAU Regional Tournament and qualified to play at the 1995 AAU National Tournament. The first National Tournament, the 1995 U.S. Jr. National in Las Vegas was an eye-opener for the team, but most importantly, for the coaches. It gave the coaches an idea of exactly what it took to be considered as a National caliber team and we werent there yet. By the end of 1995 it was understood by everyone involved with the team that the competition would be extremely tough. The Salt Lakers Basketball Club faced the challenge head on by having a breakout year, winning many championships and tournaments in Utah, Nevada and Idaho.
The Club prides itself in being, not just a typical basketball club, but one big supportive family. Without the unselfishness of my wife, volunteers, and the dedicated parents and coaches, I dont think this club would be where it is today. I believe this is just the beginning and that the best is yet to come.