CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders girls varsity basketball team held a 27-17 halftime lead over the Governor Livingston High School Highlanders and everything appeared to be going in the right direction. However, as the second half started, foul trouble settled in, allowing the Highlanders to take control of game and win the road contest Saturday night, 56-44.
In total, the Crusaders committed 28 fouls on the night, with senior Sabrina Parin, and juniors Tina Palella, Amy Wysocki and Sydney Zamboni all fouling out of the game.
GL freshman Skylar Dowling led her team in scoring, contributing 20 points in the win; 15 of those points came in the second half.
“Our first half, we didn’t play the best we could be,” Dowling said. “We came out at halftime and wanted to win. We changed up our defense and we slowed it down, made sure we didn’t force up shots and took our time.”
The Crusaders took early control of the game, leading the Highlanders 18-7 as the buzzer signaled the end of the first quarter. The juniors led the scoring with Amy Wysocki contributing seven points in the quarter, Tina Palella adding six points and Kellie Bonaccorso sinking a three-point basket.
They built a 25-10 lead with 2:09 left in the second quarter, taking advantage of Highlander turnovers and missed chances. However, Governor Livingston would storm back within the final two minutes and the game changed.
