CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders girls varsity basketball team were in the midst of a three-game skid and looking to get back on the winning track when they took on the Hillside High School Comets. In a well-balanced offensive attack, the Crusaders did just that.
Senior Bailey Rosenmeier led all scorers with 20 points and freshman Angela Aromando scored 17 points as the 15-seeded Crusaders defeated the 18-seeded Comets 63-50 in the 2019 Girls Basketball Union County Tournament Preliminary Round Saturday afternoon in Clark.
The Johnson Crusaders (9-11) advance to the Union County Tournament First Round. They will travel to play at second-seeded Westfield HS Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m.
After building a halftime lead of 39-27, Hillside managed to push back in the third quarter, forcing Johnson to go on the attack to maintain their lead with a chance to end their losing streak. Hillside trimmed Johnson’s lead to 42-33 with 4:54 left in the quarter, but Johnson, who’s needed a strong third quarter to close out their games, got just what they were looking for.
“They picked it up and they were determined to get the ball inside, that’s what we knew what we had to do,” Johnson head coach Joe Marino said. “We managed to get the ball it to Bailey and Bailey made some things happen.”
Rosenmeier and Aromando led the charge in the quarter. Rosenmeier added six points in the final two minutes, while Aromando added two key baskets. The Crusaders outscored the Comets 14-10 to build a 53-39 lead going into the fourth quarter. Johnson received offensive production from Aromando, but needed other players to step up with the Comets attempting to limit Aromando’s shots.
Rosenmeier and Kosiek gave Johnson the production they needed to sustain their lead in the third quarter. At times when it seemed Hillside was poised to make a run, Johnson always found an answer to counter their chances.
“They were trying to shut down Angela,” Marino said. “That was fine because it opened up everybody else.”
Despite Hillside’s adjustments at halftime, Aromando had been able to score six points in the second half, which led to her 17 points on the day, having already added 11 before halftime.
“I think it comes down to athleticism and being able to get around them,” Aromando said. “We did a pretty good job of maneuvering it and cutting to the basket and getting open. I thought we did a really good job.”
