UNION, NJ- The Union High School Farmers found themselves trailing by a score of 37-35 after the third quarter of a close game and found a way to come back and regain control during the final eight minutes of action. They outscored the Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders boys varsity basketball team 23-10 in the fourth quarter to capture a 58-47 win Sunday afternoon at Kean University, part of the Eric LeGrand Classic.
As the game got underway, Union was in full control in the opening minutes of the game, leading by as much as 13-2, with senior Derryen Whyte contributing six points in the quarter and senior Jabri Lateef adding five points. They would carry a 13-6 lead after the first eight minutes of play.
In the second quarter, Union held a 20-13 lead over Johnson with 3:33 left, but Johnson would make a major push to get back in the game. Senior George Visconti connected on two free throws and junior Brandon Hund buried a shot to cut the lead to 20-17.
Union senior DeAndrae MacFarlane and Visconti traded three-point shots and Union’s lead was 23-20 with 1:00 left in the second quarter. Lateef buried a basket that made the score 25-20 Farmers. Visconti cut the lead to 25-22 with a basket, before a major defensive move by the Crusaders.
Hund broke up a Union pass and sped to the basket for a chance at points before halftime. He connected for the basket and was fouled. Although he missed the free throw, he sent his team into halftime only trailing by a score of 25-24.
The Crusaders got off to a quick start in the third quarter. Junior Brenden Kelly gave Johnson a 27-25 lead and senior Jeff Drajin increased the lead to 29-25, prompting Union to call a timeout. The game went back-and-forth, with Union tying the game at 29-29, with baskets coming from Lateef and Eboh trading shots.
“Our coach told us not to give up,” MacFarlane said. “We know basketball is a game of swings, so we know [Johnson] could go up six [points] and we’re going to come down and do the same thing.”
Full Coverage of Johnson Crusaders-Union Farmers in Eric LeGrand Classic Here
