CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders and the Summit High School Hilltoppers took to the court, looking to rebound from recent losses. In a closely played game, Johnson built a lead in the second quarter, but Summit fought back.
With the teams tied at 35-35 with 4:26 left in the fourth quarter, the Hilltoppers closed out the game on an 11-3 run, defeating the Crusaders 46-38 Thursday night in Clark.
Sophomore Sarah Maldonado got the scoring going for the Hilltoppers, scoring the first four points for her team, giving them a 39-35 lead with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter. Freshman Olivia Lawlor and senior Bella Cusumano each knocked down a basket to make it 43-35 Summit with 2:22 left, the Hilltoppers now in full control.
“Our tenacity, our aggressiveness, the way we corralled the basketball on the defensive end [were all great],” Summit head coach Tom Kenny said on his team’s play in the final stretch. “That’s a huge game for us. We’re without our best player and I know Joe’s team is a little banged up as well, it’s that time of year.”
“It keeps us in the chase to defend our Mountain Division championship. It was a great game by both teams,” he added.
The Hilltoppers were down 26-20 at halftime, after being outscored by Johnson 17-12 in the second quarter, but the eight minutes that came next appeared to flip the script. Summit outscored Johnson 9-1 in the third quarter to take a 29-27 lead heading into the final quarter.
The first half was a completely different picture, with Johnson getting a quick start.
Junior Ally Bowen scored the first seven points of the game. Summit would fight back, receiving five points from Lawlor and a three-pointer from sophomore Kiran McCormick, as Johnson led Summit 9-8 after the first quarter.
Johnson built their lead and capitalized on a few Summit mistakes. With Summit ahead 12-11, freshman Angela Aromando gave her team a 13-12 lead, before McCormick gave Summit back the lead at 15-13 with 4:05 left in the second quarter. Senior Bailey Rosenmeier brought the game to a 15-15 tie.
Aromando’s three-pointer made it 18-17 with 2:50 left in the second quarter, with Johnson closing out the quarter on an 8-3 run, leading 26-20 at halftime, with Summit needing to adjust in the intermission before coming right back out for the second half.
“It’s a credit to ALJ, they played a tough first half,” Kenny said. “Joe [Marino]’s always a consummate professional, brings a great game plan. I just thought we played too-hurried basketball in the first half.”
“When we calmed down and ran our stuff and played better defensively, because I think they wanted to rebound more. When we calmed down in the first half and got that and got a little but of pressure, things were a little easier for us as it progressed,” he added.
Full Coverage of Johnson Girls Varsity Basketball Against Summit HS Here
