With just 16 minutes left to play, the Johnston girls’ basketball team was in a good spot in its Final Four game against Moses Brown at The Ryan Center on Saturday, leading by five after one half, 24-19.
But, the Panthers couldn’t hold on to their lead and punch their ticket to the state title game, as the Quakers stormed back in the second half, erasing their deficit and then some while outscoring Division II champion Johnston, 33-9, in the second half en route to a 52-33 victory.
After dictating the pace in the first half, Johnston couldn’t slow down Moses Brown’s offensive attack in the second half while struggling at the offensive end itself.
Moses Brown senior All-State forward Oluchi Ezemma led the comeback charge for the Quakers, compiling a game-high 19 points, while two other Quakers were also in double figures – Tori Matson with 15 and Maura O’Malley with 14.
Junior Gabby DiRaimo paced the attack for the Panthers, scoring a team-high 14 points. Senior guard Jordan Moretti also had a solid game with eight points, and Lauren Civetti, Cleasia Peoples, Amelia Moore and Sarah Bandoma each chipped in two points. Megan Philbrick rounded out the scoring for Johnston with one point.
After Barrington upset top-seeded La Salle in the other Final Four game, Moses Brown squared off against the Eagles with the state championship on the line Sunday.
Ezemma shined once again, netting a game-high 21 points to lead the Quakers to their first RIIL state championship with a 55-51 victory.
As for Johnston, it concluded another memorable season, clinching its second straight Division II championship and Final Four berth. The Panthers ended the winter with a 17-1 Division II record and a 23-2 overall record.
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