CLARK, NJ- If I was one to tell you this past Arthur L. Johnson High School boys basketball season was going to go the way it did, I would’ve told you at the beginning of December that it looked like a long shot. Man, was I, along with the players, parents and coaches in for one as the year went along.
The Crusaders were struggling as a program in years past, but the previous year featured a trip to the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals and the first conference championship in program history. The team was also filled with a lot of good and young basketball players, led by seniors Ray Williamson and Brendan Stanzione. I kept receiving updates on how they were doing in the scrimmages, so that had me excited for what was to come.
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Head Coach: Dave Kennedy (Eighth Season)
Assistant Coaches: Jon Hadyka, Greg Baker
2016-17 Johnson Boys Basketball Roster:
#2- Brandon Hund (So.)
#3- Jeff Drajin (Jr.)
#5- Brenden Kelly (So.)
#10- Evan Parenti (Fr.)
#12- Ross Wildes (Jr.)
#14- George Visconti (Jr.)
#21- Lorenzo De Paz (Jr.)
#22- Joe DiProfio (Jr.)
#24- Brendan Stanzione (Sr.)
#25- Ryan Spallone (Jr.)
#30- Ray Williamson (Sr.)
The season all began on Saturday, December 17 on the road at New Providence. Normally, TAPinto New Providence covers the home games, so I received the texts and saw they started off the season with a 75-55 win, one I was surprised by, as the Pioneers are always a tough group to compete against, but I was happy they started off the season.
I had a chance to watch some of the action when they took on Roselle Park on the road, a convincing 83-54 win that featured everyone getting a piece of the action, their game had me wondering if it was going to continue. They would return home to take on Governor Livingston HS, in the home opener, a game that would be one for the ages in the Governor Livingston-Johnson games I’ve seen since my senior year of high school.
I remember the resiliency shown by the Crusaders in the game against Governor Livingston. When they were trailing by 10 points earlier, I didn’t know what was going to happen, but watching them climb out of it, especially George drawing the late foul and draining late free throws to put Johnson ahead at halftime, this was a force not to mess with.
They charged up in the home opener, building a big lead of 63-53, but Governor Livingston wouldn’t go down without a fight, they had the Johnson fans on their toes, waiting for the final minutes to tick of, but the Crusaders locked down in their game, getting key baskets from George Visconti and Joe DiProfio, locking away a 67-60 win that improved their record to 3-0. For a non-conference game, this was a huge win.
They stood 3-0 and headed into the Christmas Tournament against some other good teams. They took on Holmdel on December 27 to win 61-58. Two days later, they took on a very tough Rahway team, a low-scoring game that featured a 36-35 Johnson win. I felt the win was momentous because it showed they could take on any other team. I remember getting dinner that night with football head coach Anthony DelConte and his girlfriend and was receiving the updates on my phone, psyched once the final score text came in.
Wins over Cranford at home and road wins against Dayton, Oratory Prep and Spotswood had the team off to a 9-0 start. It was something I’ve never seen in high school basketball, unless of course if you see schools like Linden, The Patrick School, Roselle Catholic or St. Mary of the Assumption.
I, of course, felt bummed when the team lost their first game, 70-50 to Union Catholic, was hoping they could’ve kept the unbeaten streak to the season going, but in the end, being 9-1 and undefeated in conference play was still pretty good.
I covered their home game on Thursday, January 19 against New Providence, a team they defeated on the road back in December in the season opener. The game was close after the first 16 minutes, by a score of 27-24, turning into a halftime lead of 35-24, but the second half was the story, one I will not forget. They led 52-42, but New Providence would battle back to send the game into overtime, tied 60-60.
Following New Providence taking a 64-63 lead, Visconti brought the noise throughout the gymnasium, draining a three-point basket with 59 seconds left and the sound of the fans was deafening, the crowd exploding in cheers, the sounds of Coach Kennedy yelling out plays, trying to tell his players to continue fighting and slow down the furious New Providence team and they did.
Following a win over Roselle Park, the Crusaders found themselves with an opportunity to capture the program’s second straight conference championship against Oratory Prep. I saw the pace of the game, which went a little slower than anticipated. After trailing the Rams following the first eight minutes of action, Johnson would battle back, taking a 27-22 lead at halftime.
The lead wasn’t large, but the Crusaders kept it steady and went at the Rams on offense and defense. With 2:35 left, adversity came with George Visconti fouling out, but I knew they were going to face some trouble, which was fitting without starter Brendan Stanzione (injury) and Visconti, I thought the game was going to slip away, but free throws are another key aspect to the game of basketball.
Brenden Kelly stepped in, draining the key free throws, with the defensive-first approach leading the Crusaders to the conference-clinching win, putting Johnson at a 13-1 record. Although they were facing this group of teams, this type of Crusaders team was not one I’d ever seen be this pretty good.
I’ve been around, covering high school basketball as the beat writer in Clark, New Jersey (I believe that is the proper use of the term) and I’ve never seen high school basketball in Clark this good.
Next up, Senior Night and the return of Brendan Stanzione. It was a good night, with Ray Williamson and Brendan Stanzione being recognized for their hard work and dedication to the program, even during the tougher times, when the teams weren’t all that good.
There was another milestone watching, with George Visconti closing in on the boys basketball all-time leader in career varsity points. The moment came on Saturday, February 4, in a 70-65 victory over Summit HS. Having covered George’s entire high school basketball career to this date, I’ve always known he was due for a big moment like this, one he’s worked so hard for.
The team stood at 17-1, but a setback in the first round of the Union County Tournament seemed to darken the mood. I was there, witnessing the loss in front of me. However, I felt the long run of the Union County Tournament wouldn’t have benefitted the Crusaders. Cranford would lose to Union 76-55 four days later, as Union got steamrolled by Linden 58-27.
Johnson picked up a game against St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), a challenging team that I personally thought could benefit the Crusaders instead of a pointless Union County Tournament. Throughout the game, Johnson built a substantial lead, but St. Peter’s Prep stormed back, but a strong push and resiliency in the fourth quarter had Johnson coming through on top 64-59.
Following a loss to Verona, a win over New Egypt and a regular season finale loss to Dickinson, the stage was set for the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 State Tournament. The regular season over and the win-or-go home games coming into town.
As the No. 3 seed, the Crusaders were guaranteed home games through the quarterfinals round, but their first round matchup was against No. 14 seeded Holmdel, a team they beat 61-58 back on December 27, ironically enough, playing on Monday, February 27, 2017.
Me having late night classes on Monday nights, I was unable to cover the game in the gym, so I waited for text messages and pictures of the action, so I could write a game story.
The game went back and forth, but Johnson was losing most of the second half. It came down to the final seconds, losing 55-54 with 10 seconds left. I had my computer and Facebook messages open while class was going on, hoping for good news.
Thanks to my good friend, Bobby Dante, the videographer, his highlights had me on my feet. A mad rush into the Holmdel end, the clock ticking down fast, a missed three-pointer from Brenden Kelly, it seemed it was all lost and the season coming to an end on home court.
But because of Brandon Hund, it wouldn’t end in the fourth quarter. The ball draining through the net, the roar of the crowd, the players going crazy, he tied the game and forced four more minutes of basketball.
Unexpectedly, it came. Joe DiProfio’s dad texted me that they were going to overtime, with the score tied 57-57. I got excited, not being able to really focus in class, anticipating on what was to come. I got another text that the score was 62-62 with 17 seconds left. Then, I got another text that the game was over, Brendan Stanzione sinking the putback following an offensive rebound, punching Johnson’s ticket to the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals.
Seeing Bobby Dante’s highlights, Stanzione’s putback came following an offensive rebound, banking it with 0.9 seconds left, the crowd exploding in a chorus of cheers. Holmdel couldn’t get anything, the Johnson students subsequently stormed the floor as head coach Dave Kennedy and assistant coach Jon Hadyka pumped their arms in the air as the final buzzer sounded. I was so overcome with joy, knowing I was going to be able to cover March basketball. More importantly, I was happy for the guys for fighting all game to give themselves a chance to keep the magical season going.
Fast forward to Wednesday, March 1, 2017. It was No. 6-seeded Lincoln and No. 3-seeded Johnson.
Reading up on how Lincoln did throughout the 2016-17 season, as well as seeing how they defeated Bernards, 61-44, with a 19-5 second quarter standing out as the difference of the game, I knew this game was going to be a battle, these playoff games always are challenging, as the competition gets tougher with fewer teams in the later rounds.
I arrived at the school, checking in at about 5:30 p.m., watching the Johnson Crusaders warming up in an empty gymnasium, the “calm before the storm,” as they say. So, with my notes and cell phone ready to go, I watched the players practice and talk to head coach Dave Kennedy and assistants Jon Hadyka and Greg Baker.
As the Lincoln Lions filed into the school, that’s when the gym suddenly began to fill. In attendance included former softball coach Mike Mancino, the current assistant principal at Ramapo HS.
The gym was packed, fans taking almost all the bleachers room in the gymnasium, setting the excitement for another state home game, nothing like this happening in the town of Clark for almost 30-35 years.
The game began and the first eight minutes were quick. Johnson would gain control as the quarter went along, leading 12-8. I can remember the noise of the gym after each Crusaders basket and it was loud. It was purely everything you could ask for in high school basketball playoffs.
The second quarter of that game, I felt, really brought out the best of the Johnson Crusaders. The three-point basket game got started with Joe DiProfio burying two key baskets, including on a long baseball-style play from George Visconti, tying the game up at 15.
What I remember the most, after trailing 22-20, the Crusaders won the final three minutes of the second quarter, going on a 14-0 scoring run to take a 34-22 halftime lead. DiProfio began to show his game with another key three pointer and adding more baskets to the mix. Brenden Kelly and George Visconti chimed in the effort, to give Johnson the halftime lead over a scrappy Lincoln team that seemed to punch back whenever they were down.
As the second half got underway, I felt Coach Kennedy and his crew really were taking control despite how Lincoln would charge so many times to try and get back in the game. The Crusaders charge was led by Visconti and DiProfio, hitting the earlier baskets in the quarter to maintain the forceful game Johnson was starting to pick back up in the most important spots. They led 48-36 with eight more minutes until another state playoff victory.
Johnson led the entire quarter, building a 63-51 lead before a major dose of adversity was dealt to the Crusaders, when Visconti fouled out. In less than a minute, Lincoln went on a 5-0 scoring run to have all the Johnson fans and students holding their breath, 63-56, with 1:44 left.
However, Lincoln’s awful free-throw shooting contributed to the loss. They missed 15 free throws throughout the entire game, including two crucial ones that could’ve made it a 63-58 game with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter. Johnson would drain six free throws within the final minute to seal the deal, a 69-58 win that put the Crusaders in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Semifinals for the first time since 1981.
The final seconds ticking off and the chanting of the “Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, good-bye!” as the buzzer sounded and the Crusaders celebrating a win where head coach Dave Kennedy said, “We had contributions from everybody on the floor.”
I spoke to Ray Williamson, Brendan Stanzione, Coach Kennedy, George Visconti and Joe DiProfio following the win.
George Visconti:
Joe DiProfio:
Ray Williamson:
Brendan Stanzione:
Head Coach Dave Kennedy:
We found out during postgame interviews that we would be facing off at Bordentown HS, the defending sectional champions, for a chance to do what other teams in the past weren’t able to do.
Outside of Linden High School and the absolutely successful empire Phil Colicchio helped mold together, I really feel, despite the history of the basketball programs, that Johnson is one of the best basketball programs recently.
On Friday, March 3, I remember running up to Montclair State University to return equipment from shooting interviews for a documentary project. At 2:45 p.m., I left home and made the long drive down the New Jersey Turnpike en route to Bordentown, continuing the quality reporting I’ve always done.
I was also on Spring Break, so it made the entire trip and feeling sweet, hoping for good things to write about.
I got very excited as I excited the Garden State Parkway and made my way towards the Turnpike. After about 37 long miles in the blistering cold on the road, I got off of Exit 7 and made my way to Bordentown. I had been pondering where I was going to eat before heading to the game, knowing how long of a night it was going to be. I went to the Town and County Diner in town and got a really good cheeseburger and fries. I also saw Phillies Spring Training being on CSN Philly. I said to myself:
“I mean, I guess I’m in Phillies territory in New Jersey, being in South Jersey, not only to mention, PORK ROLL country.”
Once I ate my pregame dinner, I made my way to Bordentown High School. Memories took me back to the 2016 softball sectional semifinals, when Stephanie Visconti’s inside-the-park two-run home run gave Johnson a 4-2 win en route to the program’s first sectional championship since 1996.
The butterflies came about in multitudes, I saw the Johnson team enter the area of where their dressing room was. It only multiplied after I did my typical, “Hey, how are you doing?” to all the parents, especially Mr. Visconti and Mr. DiProfio.
The teams took the court for warmups and I remember having to shot some video, mostly of George Visconti, since I was working on a documentary of him. As the lineups got introduced, I remember having to squeeze upon the lower bleachers to shot video of the lineup being introduced.
The students got in a fan bus and went to the game along with several of the teachers, including Coach DelConte, Coach Di Nucci and many other teachers.
The game had two great headlines in place: The Johnson Crusaders appear in the sectional semifinals for the first time since 1981, while the Bordentown Scotties are the defending sectional champions, defeating Manasquan 59-54 to capture the state championship.
Bordentown had big players and those who could really make the plays needed to win big basketball games. The game began and they jumped out to a quick 10-5 lead. Darnill Brown and Manny Ansong were the two main names on the team to watch for, but the 3-point baskets were the main factor of this game and the Crusaders would drain five of them in the first quarter alone.
I think these players went to the “Ray Allen School of Three-Pointers,” they were hitting them and were getting very clean looks at the hoop.
They went at it all in the first eight minutes, but Brandon Hund drained a buzzer-beater. As soon as he got the look and as the buzzer sounded, I knew it was going in and it did, making the game 21-20, but this game was up for grabs. However, I don’t believe anyone expected what was to come in the second quarter. I didn’t expect it either.
They opened the quarter on a 12-2 run, taking a 33-22 lead with 5:22 left in the second quarter. I thought to myself that maybe this could still end up being a close game, but I was mistaken and with a good reason there. Joe DiProfio was absolutely ridiculous in that game.
Before getting to DiProfio, that second quarter was absolutely momentous in epic proportions. Johnson would build the lead to 36-26, before an 11-3 scoring run would blow the entire game open, Johnson opening a 47-29 halftime lead over the defending sectional champions. The fans had the looks on their faces like you would not believe. Bordentown was chosen to repeat as sectional champions and their season was 16 minutes away from ending.
The effort was still explosive by the Crusaders, they kept hitting and hitting and would not stop nor cool down. Joe DiProfio brought down the house with a huge three-pointer, his sixth of the game! The score was now 62-41 Johnson, everything going right for them, eight more minutes away from the state sectional final.
DiProfio had 32 points, I couldn’t believe it. He was firing away the shots and they weren’t missing, but he didn’t have a three-pointer in the fourth quarter. I remember the Trentonian was also there and wrote an article on him and the game, his dad was very proud.
My eyes were fixated on the action and the clock, to tick down and advance to the next round. In the final minute, I watched Coach Kennedy emptying his bench, taking out Visconti, DiProfio, Hund, Kelly and Stanzione. The task was done! The final seconds ticked off the clock. For the first time in program history, the Johnson Crusaders boys varsity basketball team advanced to the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 State Sectional Final. The final score was 80-68.
I can immediately remember the giant smiles that formed on the faces of everybody, but those that really stood out to me where those smiles of Ray Williamson and Brendan Stanzione, who were going to be playing at least one more basketball game in their high school careers.
Ray Williamson:
Brendan Stanzione:
The support of the fans was incredible throughout the whole state tournament and they were putting themselves in a position to bring home a state championship. We found out Rumson-Fair Haven held off Manasquan in overtime, 70-62, setting up a Johnson-Rumson-Fair Haven matchup on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.
I remember making it back home and the next day, putting together my website and updating it, with the picture of Joe DiProfio really standing out, one where he was on the court of the career-high 32-point performance. I also was proud of head coach Dave Kennedy, while it all comes down to the players, it starts with the head coach. He coached the program during the tougher years and was about to be coaching in his first state sectional final.
Head Coach Dave Kennedy:
I wondered how he balanced basketball and baseball on Friday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 7, with him obviously running basketball practice on Monday, March, which I attended. They looked ready to go, as was I.
That day, I had my notes, water, tape recorder and cell phone prepped and ready to go. I cut out of town at about 2:30 p.m., knowing that a 45-50 minute drive awaited, when it never seemed as far away as it was. I remember getting dinner at a restaurant in the Fair Haven area. Then, it was off to work, getting a parking spot to beat the heavy crowd that was to follow.
The main people at the school allowed myself and the videographer, Bobby Dante, in the gym early. Man, did it fill quickly! Fans, parents and students from both sides packed the gym. It got loud! The starting lineups came in and I can’t remember much else.
The game was fast-paced, an 8-0 scoring run for Johnson to start the game, but Rumson-Fair Haven would fight back. The score was 12-9 Johnson after the first quarter, but adversity hit Johnson, being outscored 16-5 and facing a 25-17 halftime deficit against one of the best schools in the Shore Conference.
They fought to trim the deficit to 36-35 after the third quarter, but Rumson-Fair Haven pulled it out 57-51, ending the Johnson Crusaders magical season.
Personally, I felt sad, it was tough walking to the dressing room, seeing those four months of hard work put in since November all come to a conclusion. I’ve been around this program since my senior year of high school, during the tougher years and began covering the team since they returned to the state playoffs in 2014-15 in North Plainfield. Despite losing the 2016-17 seniors to graduation, this team is capable of returning to the championship round, but I was proud to cover a successful team!
A 22-5 record, featuring a 9-0 start, the second straight conference championship for the program, as well as a 17-1 start. I witnessed an exciting playoff run and a young team hungry to get back to the playoff rounds where they can try and capture a championship.
What more can I add? I was very proud of the guys and coaches for fighting through every game all season long! This was truly a great team that I really enjoyed covering and can’t wait to see what the 2017-18 team has in store for when next year rolls around!
