Johnson, a second-team All-Sun Belt selection last season, garnered preseason accolades for the second straight season (third team preseason pick in 2010-11).
The Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team was voted on by the Sun Belt's 12 head coaches and released in conjunction with the conference's media day videoconference.
Returning as one of the most prolific scorers in school history, Johnson headlines the Ragin' Cajuns roster for the 2011-12 season. During the 2010-11 campaign, Johnson led Louisiana with 14.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game - her second straight season averaging 14-plus points and six-plus rebounds.
The Houston native notched 22 double-digit scoring contests, including four games of 20-plus points. She ranked fifth in the Sun Belt in scoring and sixth in offensive rebounding (3.3 boards per game).
Johnson amassed an Earl K. Long Gym record 36 points against Troy on Jan. 5, 2011, to become the 14th player in UL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. Her current career total of 1,196 points ranks fifth in school history and is 162 points shy from reaching the Top 3.
She ranks in the Ragin' Cajuns Top 10 career charts in five other categories: field goals made (5th, 454), field goals attempted (4th, 1071), free throws made (2nd, 277) and free throws attempted (2nd, 466).
Head coach Errol Rogers addressed the media during his portion of the videoconference and spoke about his team's upcoming 2011-12 campaign and expectations for the season.
Rogers enters his fifth season at the helm of the women's basketball program. The Cajuns return nine letterwinners from last season including leading scorer Mercedes Johnson and leading shot blocker Kemi Rotibi. Rogers also has the benefit of his entire coaching staff remaining intact for the first time in his tenure.
The Ragin' Cajuns officially began practice on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Louisiana opens the 2011-12 season against LSU-Shreveport on Monday, Nov. 14 at Earl K. Long Gym.
2011-12 SBC Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference
(as selected by the League's 12 Head Coaches)
First Team
*Kaetlyn Murdoch Denver Sr. F
*Ebony Rowe Middle Tennessee So. F
Mercedes Johnson Louisiana Sr. F
Shania Hurst Arkansas State Sr. G
Jerica Coley FIU So. G
Second Team
Jasmine Godbolt North Texas Jr. F
Marian Kursh UALR Sr. C
Icelyn Elie Middle Tennessee Jr. F
Larrie Williams Louisiana-Monroe Sr. C
LaTeira Owens WKU Sr. F
Third Team
DeAngela Sword Troy Sr. G
Finda Mansare FIU Jr. F
Sarda Peterson South Alabama Sr. G
Emiko Smith Denver Jr. G
Breana Turner Florida Atlantic Sr. G
* - Denotes Preseason Co-Players of the Year
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
