Panthers finding answers early

The Johnston boys basketball team improved to 2-0 last week when it rolled to a 78-43 win over Mt. Hope at home.
The Panthers dominated from start to finish and saw three players reach double figures prior to the halftime break to make a statement in Division II.
Point guard Michael Carlino finished with 18 points while Branden and Jayden Testa each added 14.
With four starters graduating from last year’s championship roster, the Panthers have been looking to find answers in its lineup and establish a new identity. The Testas have been key in the early success as Branden has built off of last year’s minutes while Jayden has fit right in after coming back from injury.
“It feels great to be back out there with the team. I’m 100 percent now, so I’m just ready to go,” said Jayden.
Branden added: “We’re still trying to find our identity and I think tonight helped. We’re a team that needs to run the floor and push it and I think we’re getting closer and closer to that every day. We’re taking it game by game.”
The Testa brothers have been consistent scorers for the Panthers, and as brothers, their built-in chemistry has been apparent.
“It’s really nice to see Jayden and Branden flow together. When things are rolling, they’re a big part of it,” said coach Mike Bedrosian, who has seen some differences in their games despite them being identical twins. “From our perspective as coaches, and the kids agree, Branden gets to the basketball better. He’s a first step guy, he’s got a great first step. Anytime we have a mismatch in man to man, we usually go to Branden. Jayden is a more consistent shooter, he is great at midrange, so we try to get him open.”
Another big piece of the puzzle has been Carlino at the point guard spot, as he takes over for Derek Salvatore. Carlino has been perhaps the team’s most consistent player to this point and Bedrosian has been excited to see his emergence as a leader.
“He’s exceeding our expectations right now, we couldn’t be more proud of him. He played with some swag tonight and he’s confident. He’s confident and that’s what we need, he’s our quarterback,” Bedrosian said. “He was taking the ball up the court, getting to the paint, kicking, making good decisions. When you have the ball 80 percent of the time, mistakes are going to happen. Every mistake that he’s made, and there haven’t been many, he has learned from. That’s how he is developing as our point guard.”