Coach Johnson returns to China

GREELEY – Northern Colorado women’s basketball assistant coach Ryan Johnson had such an amazing time earlier this year on his trip to China with the United States Basketball Academy that when he got the opportunity to go back, he jumped at the chance.

Johnson will be the assistant coach of the United States team playing in the Four Nations Invitational. During the tournament, the team will face the Olympic teams from Australia, China and Russia in a FIBA based Olympic tune-up event.

The first stop for the team will be Yancheng, China. Both Katie Bussey (Montana State) and Kali Bennett (Arizona State), along with head coach Chris Denker, were with Johnson the first time he went to China. Joining the quartet are Dawn Evans from Drake, Ashley Corrall and Briana Gilbreath from USC, Jence Rhoads from Vanderbilt, Brittany Carter of Memphis, Becky Burke from Louisville, Amanda Johnson from Oregon, Kristina Santiago of Cal Poly, Cierra Bravard from Florida State and Becca Tobin from Arizona State.

The games will run between July 2-11 and fans can follow Johnson’s trek across China at www.uncbearswbb.posterous.com