Johnson Returns to Lineup for H.D. Woodson Girls

As H.D. Woodson senior Jeniece Johnson took off her warmups last night and headed toward midcourt for her first tip-off of the season, a couple of middle school students behind the Warriors' bench held up a sign: "Welcome back J.J."

Johnson had her athletic eligibility temporarily reinstated by D.C. Public Schools officials yesterday morning after missing H.D. Woodson's first 16 games of the season. The 6-foot-6 center scored six points and had 11 rebounds, 6 blocks and 3 steals in a 73-16 win last night over McKinley, as the fifth-ranked Warriors improved to 13-4.

"It was fun," Johnson said. "I was excited, I was nervous, I was just happy all at once."

Johnson, one of the most coveted recruits in the area, was declared ineligible last month because of D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association rules that allow students eight consecutive semesters to participate in athletics, with the time frame beginning on the student's first day of high school, "re gardless of whether he/she remains continuously enrolled in school."

Johnson, 18, entered H.D. Woodson in the fall of 2004 but was expelled before the end of her first semester because of attendance and behavior issues. She returned to H.D. Woodson for the 2005-06 academic year and joined the basketball team before the 2006-07 season.

DCPS officials initially ruled that her eighth semester of athletic eligibility was in the spring of 2008. After Johnson unsuccessfully appealed the ruling, she continued to travel and practice with the Warriors but could not play.

Last Saturday, Johnson and H.D. Woodson Coach Frank Oliver went to a clinic sponsored by the D.C. Bar that offered free legal advice. After hearing Johnson's case, lawyers from the firm of Morrison & Foerster decided to represent her pro bono.

With legal action looming, DCPS General Counsel Jim Sandman agreed Thursday night to reexamine Johnson's eligibility. Yesterday morning, Oliver received a letter from Sherry Ulery, the DCPS chief of teaching and learning, saying that based on "additional information," it had been determined that Johnson could play.

"New information has been brought to light allowing DCPS to lift the ban on Jeniece Johnson's participation to give us an opportunity to consider further steps," Dena Iverson, spokeswoman for Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee, wrote in an e-mail.

Sandman and Ulery could not be reached for comment.

Oliver said Johnson's lawyers assured him that DCPS officials want to verify that Johnson played high school basketball for only two seasons prior to this school year. Once they have done so, Oliver said he's been told Johnson's eligibility will be permanently reinstated.

"I just think it's great," Oliver said. "I'm happy for her. I know she's going to be fine. And I'm glad for our team. I'm glad to have our anchor back out there."