CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders found themselves locked in a battle with the New Providence High School Pioneers after trailing by as much as eight points with five and a half minutes to go in the third quarter.
Freshman Domenika Kosiek added three points via a free throw and then a basket and senior Cecilia Puentes added a basket to get within 32-29 after the third quarter. A game that appeared to be getting out of control appeared within reach for the Crusaders. Junior Ally Bowen added three straight points to tie the game at 32-32.
“We were all motivated to get back because we knew we had a chance,” Kosiek said of the third quarter rally. “The team was able to work together.”
After struggles earlier on, including missed shots and a few turnovers, the Crusaders managed to push back to get the tying points needed as the first few minutes of the fourth quarter went by, changing the tone of the momentum and the game.
“Our girls were starting to look out for each other,” Johnson head coach Joe Marino said. “We were breaking their traps and they knew that if there were traps, somebody was going to be open. It worked.”
Despite the push, it was the Pioneers who pulled away, closing the game on a 17-6 run, fueled by sophomore Lindsay Kinum and senior Olivia Faucher leading the charge as the Pioneers defeated the Crusaders 49-38 Thursday night in Clark.
Kinum started the offensive push in the fourth quarter for her team, connecting for a basket, while senior Olivia Nook banked in two free throws and Faucher finished a shot and drained a three-pointer to make it 41-32 New Providence with 4:04 left in the fourth quarter, making up for the third quarter struggles.
Full Coverage of Johnson Girls Varsity Basketball vs. New Providence HS Here
