Oftentimes at the dinner table, Kate Johnson's family discusses sports.

"Drew was so into basketball this year," Johnson said of her younger brother, who recently completed his freshman year of high school. "He'll sit at dinner and say, 'Dad, I had this sick move.'"

It's no wonder sports are a prevalent topic, though, especially with Kate around.

A three-sport athlete at Stonington High School — soccer, basketball and lacrosse — Kate Johnson was named The Day's 2019 All-Area Girls' Lacrosse Player of the Year.

A midfielder, she set the Bears' all-time record for points in a season with 128 (84 goals, 44 assists) and earned first team Class S all-state honors. Stonington (18-4) won its seventh straight Eastern Connecticut Conference regular-season divisional title and made appearances in the championship games of the ECC tournament and Class S state tournament.

Johnson will play for the women's lacrosse team next season at Division I Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.

"We all have our roles and our jobs and if we don't do 'em, we're not as successful. Kate has to control the rhythm of everything," Stonington coach Jeff Medeiros said. "She's very coachable, she takes directions, she listens, she absorbs what you're telling her. She constantly wants to get better herself; she works hard on her craft. All of it transfers to the field. She's one of the best players I've ever had.

"She definitely grew into this. Between her junior and senior year, she got a ton better."

Johnson started out as a "fan girl" for the Stonington girls' basketball team, she said. She attended coach Paulla Solar's camp during the summertime.

"I wanted to be Taty (LaFrance Boyce, former all-state guard) and have coach Solar as my coach," Johnson said.

That came to fruition. Johnson was an All-ECC Division III honorable mention selection this season for the Stonington girls' soccer team, which won the league's Division II tournament. She then played point guard for the basketball team, earning All-ECC Division II first team honors.

At Stonington's end-of-the-year athletic banquet, Johnson was the co-recipient with Miranda Arruda (field hockey, basketball, softball) of the Jean Kenney Daly Cup, which goes to Stonington's best female senior athlete.

"It was so exciting," Johnson said of the award. "I could not have thought of a better person (than Arruda) to share that cup. She pushes me to be better. She shares the competitive edge that I have. I watch her be awesome and I want to be awesome."

Lacrosse ultimately won out.

Johnson played a part-time varsity role as a freshman when her sister Hannah was a senior on the team, something Kate refers to as one of her career highlights.

She was a second team all-state pick as a junior, the season she became more serious about lacrosse, finishing with 41 goals and 21 assists (62 points). Johnson explains, however, that in trying to lead a year ago, she unintentionally came across as bossy.

She still had details to perfect. She worked with a personal trainer over the summer. She honed her court vision during basketball season. Excelling at two other varsity sports, she fine-tuned her leadership capabilities.

And, prior to her senior season of lacrosse, she attended a prospect camp at Stetson — four hours of drills and scrimmages — after which head coach Christy Leach pulled her aside and told Johnson there was a spot on the team for her if she wanted it.

"Because I've always been a three-sport athlete, I didn't find my true passion for lacrosse until junior year," Johnson said. "Just being with (trainer Todd Gwaltney) over the summer, more wall balls ... I was devoted to the sport this year.

"I know how to better lead the team that connects to everyone. I was a little less bossy, but I still wanted everyone to be their best. I led more by example than as a speaking captain."

Johnson finished her career with 169 goals and 92 assists for 261 points and a draw percentage of .579 (one of her specialties).

The Bears fell to top-seeded New Fairfield in the Class S state championship game on June 8.

"You sit back and you're like 'Wow, you guys are awesome,'" Johnson said of New Fairfield.

When Johnson's sister Hannah graduated from Stonington, she left with her name on the top five list in every offensive category belonging to the lacrosse team. Medeiros chuckled and told her that Kate had a chance to break all her records. She looked at the coach as if to say, "She better not."

Johnson spoke recently in the gymnasium at Stonington High School, where she's since added to the history emblazoned on many of the banners hanging there.

"I really wanted to play lacrosse," Johnson said. "Stetson gave me the opportunity. I think I needed to take the opportunity. No doubt I'll love it at Stetson."

v.fulkerson@theday.com

The Day's 2019 All-Area Girls' Lacrosse Team

Player

of

the

Year - Kate Johnson (Stonington)

Attack - Hannah Lamb (Stonington), Maggie O'Leary (Fitch), Emma Sabbadini (Stonington), Lydia Tinnerello (Old Lyme)

Midfield - Julia Bates (East Lyme), Alexis DeLucia (Montville), Olivia Gianakos (Waterford), Rita Sefransky (Fitch)

Defense - Laura Agbayani (East Lyme), Sarah Christensen (East Lyme), Samantha Owen (Old Lyme)

Goalie - Maya Rose (East Lyme)

Utility - Zoe Pearse (Fitch), Sophie Salgar (Williams)