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Shantale Bramble-Donaldson and the Lady Techsters signed autographs during their two hour stop in Franklin today. The Techsters were there to support their teammate Adrienne Johnson and her mother Yvonne, who is battling skin cancer.

Women's Basketball

Techsters Join Forces to Support Johnson, Family

Dec. 18, 2010

FRANKLIN , La. - The Louisiana Tech women's basketball team made an important detour Saturday as the Lady Techsters departed New Orleans en route to Baton Rouge where they will face the LSU Tigers at 3 p.m. Sunday in a game that will be televised live on Cox Sports Television.

Teresa Weatherspoon and Co. - who are coming off an impressive 78-72 win at Tulane Friday night - headed southwest on US 190 out of the Big Easy mid-Saturday morning with a destination and purpose in mind that had nothing to do with the game of basketball.

Around noon the Louisiana Tech University bus pulled up to The Crossing Place Ministry in Franklin where a crowd of hundreds of family, friends and even strangers were already gathered.

Everyone in attendance had one ultimate goal in mind - to try to help Yvonne Johnson, the mother of Lady Techster forward Adrienne Johnson who is battling skin cancer.

Every player, coach and support staff member with the Louisiana Tech travel party joined hundreds of others in participating in the bone marrow registry in an effort to find a match for Mrs. Yvonne.

"The team participating meant a lot to me because I know they are behind me and my family," Adrienne Johnson said. "I didn't expect anything less because we are all family, and we all have each other's backs. By them joining the bone marrow registry, it gives my mom a better chance of finding a match. The more people that we had participate, the better.

"The community of Franklin was so excited to see Coach Weatherspoon, the staff and the Lady Techster players. I am so thankful for each and every one of them for participating."

Yvonne Johnson was diagnosed with skin cancer a few years ago after Adrienne had already begun her collegiate playing career at Louisiana Tech. Despite the emotionally and physically draining treatments that she continues to receive, Yvonne doesn't miss a beat when it comes to supporting her daughter and her teammates.

"It felt good knowing that we could be a part of the drive today," said Louisiana Tech senior Tarkeisha Wysinger-Mackey. "Even though I've only known Mrs. Yvonne for four years, it seems like much longer than that. She treats all of us as if we were her own.

"I remember as a freshman when she came to Ruston and cooked gumbo for our apartment. Although she has been battling this disease, she has never stopped supporting Adrienne or any of us in every way possible. I hope that everyone that took part in the drive understands how important it is."

During the two hours that the Lady Techsters spent in Franklin on Saturday, they were able to take part in the bone marrow registry which consisted of each one of them filling out registration paperwork and undergoing mouth swabs.

It was all done in an effort to support the Johnson family in their time of need.

"This was a great day of giving back," Weatherspoon said. "It was more of a family atmosphere for us as Adrienne is part of our family. Today was about giving back. When you can do that it, it's so positive. This had nothing to do with basketball. It had to do with us trying to help another human being. The most important thing we did today was try to help save a life. We want to teach our kids to give back and be willing participants when someone is in need."

Yvonne will be one of a number of members of the Johnson family and the community of Franklin that will be in attendance Sunday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center when Louisiana Tech faces LSU.

And although for two hours the focus will be on Adrienne and the Lady Techsters competing and representing Louisiana Tech on the basketball floor, every one of the young ladies donning a jersey with LA Tech across the front learned on Saturday that life is about more than a game.

Life is about helping others.

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Players Mentioned

Tarkeisha Wysinger

#14 Tarkeisha Wysinger

Guard
5' 10"
Junior
Adrienne Johnson

#33 Adrienne Johnson

Guard/Forward
6' 0"
Redshirt

Players Mentioned

Tarkeisha Wysinger

#14 Tarkeisha Wysinger

5' 10"
Junior
Guard
Adrienne Johnson

#33 Adrienne Johnson

6' 0"
Redshirt
Guard/Forward