FRANKLIN - Emily Johnson said her philosophy is simple, if you're going to play, play to win.

The talented Warsaw Community High School senior certainly practiced what she preached Saturday, shooting another 72 at Legends of Indiana Golf Course in Franklin and winning her second state championship.

Johnson, who will play collegiately for the Indiana Hoosiers, shot par both days and finished the state finals with a 36-hole score of 144.

She beat Brebeuf Jesuit senior Aimee Neff and Brownsburg junior Jordan Woods by two strokes.

As a freshman, Johnson shot a two-day total of 148 and won the state championship by four strokes, becoming the first freshman to win a girls golf individual state championship in Indiana.

Saturday, after the final scores were tallied and her dream again became reality, Johnson said this weekend's state championship was more impressive than her title three years ago.

"I think this one is more impressive," Johnson said. "I'm a senior, this was my last chance. There's a lot more pressure on you when it's your last chance. I tried to get that out of my mind and play like it was just another tournament."

After Friday's first round, Johnson was tied for the lead with Woods.

During Saturday's second round, Woods shot a 74 to tie for second with Neff, who shot a first-round score of 76 and came back and shot 2-under in the second round.

Warsaw coach Chris LaLonde, who said she has seen Johnson grow into a more mature golfer the past four years, credited Johnson for being consistent in the state finals.

"She was very consistent," LaLonde said. "The girls behind her shot 70 and 74. Emily was very consistent. She played a great round."

Seniors Terra Miller (Crown Point) and Maggie Wood (Boonville) and sophomore Breanna Patz (Avon) shot two-day totals of 150 to tie for fourth-place honors.

Just as consistent as she was this weekend, Johnson was steady throughout her run at the state championship, beginning with a sectional championship Sept. 16 at Stonehenge.

Through 72 holes of golf that made up the state tournament - sectional, regional and two rounds at the state finals - Johnson was a combined 5-over par.

The talented senior shot 5-over 76 to win the sectional and then shot a 72 to finish second at the regional at Cobblestone Golf Course near Kendallville last weekend.

How consistent was Johnson during her state tournament run?

Bishop Luers junior Kristi O'Brien beat Johnson at the regional with a 3-under score of 69. O'Brien shot an 8-over 80 during Friday's first round of the state finals and didn't make the cut to the second day.

Neither did East Noble senior Lina Pisquali, who tied Johnson for second at the regional. Pisquali shot 12-over 84 during Friday's first round.

A big reason Johnson has remained solid this season and matured so much as a player could be the experience she got playing in major national tournaments during the summer.

"It's so huge," LaLonde said of the experience Johnson gained by playing in a number of national tournaments. "We talked about that. She doesn't have to play in those national tournaments, but she does. I think it plays a big factor in her knowing how to control her emotions."

Johnson said what led her to the state title was her family - her parents, Tom and Deb Johnson - being there to support her.

She also said that she has matured on the course since winning the state title as a freshman, noting there were shots she hit this year that, had she done that as a freshman, she may have responded differently.

"I had a three-shot lead when I was a freshman," said Johnson. "This year I was tied. I probably would have folded in this situation if I was a freshman. I would have been so nervous and had knots in my stomach. I probably would have choked it away."

Instead, she was solid and became the seventh girls golf player in state history to win multiple individual state championships.

Johnson's round Saturday included two bogeys and two birdies. Friday, Johnson scored an eagle on the par-5 No. 15.

"It's a thrill to win a second state championship," said Johnson. "It's so hard to win state."

In the team competition, consistent play was anything but the norm.

Martinsville shot a four-person score of 309 Friday and led second-place Noblesville by 11 strokes.

Saturday, Martinsville fell apart, shooting a 344 and finishing third with a two-day total of 653.

Brebeuf, which was in sixth place and 25 strokes out of the lead after the first round, shot a 334 Friday and came back with a 313 Saturday to win the state championship by three strokes.

Hamilton Southeastern shot 326 Friday and 324 Saturday for a two-day total of 650.

Noblesville finished fourth with a two-round score of 654, followed by Brownsburg (676), Valparaiso (679), Roncalli (684), Kokomo (694), Northwestern (698) and Greensburg (706).

Neff, who will play collegiately at Michigan State University, was named the Mental Attitude Award winner.

(2006 GIRLS STATE FINALS)

Team standings - Brebeuf Jesuit 334-313 647, Hamilton Southeastern 326-324 650, Martinsville 309-344 653, Noblesville 320-334 654, Brownsburg 330-346 676, Valparaiso 344-335 679, Roncalli 337-347 684, Kokomo 331-363 694, Northwestern 343-355 698, Greensburg 344-362 706

Top 10 individuals - Emily Johnson (Warsaw) 72-72 144, Aimee Neff (Brebeuf Jesuit) 76-70 146, Jordan Woods (Brownsburg) 72-74 146, Terra Miller (Crown Point) 73-77 150, Breanna Patz (Avon) 75-75 150, Maggie Wood (Boonville) 73-77 150, Raquel Hopton (Valparaiso) 80-71 151, Audrey Fellmeth (Roncalli) 74-79 153, Kelly Short (Yorktown) 75-78 153, Ellen Mueller 76-78 154 [[In-content Ad]]