ROSELLE, NJ- After a sluggish first quarter where both teams couldn’t get much momentum going on offense, the Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders boys varsity basketball team took to the floor for the start of the second quarter, hoping they would be able to find their game.
The Crusaders opened the second quarter and instantly found it with a huge punch from the three-point line. They drained 12 three-point shots in total (seven of them in the first half), blowing the game open in the second quarter, outscoring their opponent 24-5.
The Crusaders defeated the St. Rose High School Purple Roses (Belmar) by a final score of 72-44, a part of the Tom Richel Hoopfest Memorial Showcase Saturday afternoon at Roselle Catholic High School.
Johnson found themselves trailing St. Rose early by a score of 4-0 just two minutes into the first quarter, before putting together passes and reaching the basket to get on the board. Visconti and junior Brenden Kelly added four points each in the quarter, as the Crusaders led 11-8 after the first eight minutes of play.
“We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well in the first quarter,” Johnson senior George Visconti said. “I don’t know if it’s because of the new floor [or the] different court. For whatever reason, we just weren’t shooting well transitioning into the second quarter.”
In the second quarter, senior Joe DiProfio ignited the team’s offensive punch, draining back-to back-to-back three-point baskets to give Johnson a 20-8 lead with 5:55 left in the second quarter.
The Crusaders weren’t quite done in the quarter, suffocating the Purple Roses with their defense, turning stops and turnovers into offensive chances.
