Boys Basketball: Third quarter is key for St Joseph

Updated: January 9, 2012 2:38PM

The other St. Joseph players know how to ride a hot hand. Reggie Johnson is smoldering.

The guard hit four three-pointers and scored 13 points during a 20-1 third-quarter run that erased an 12-point deficit and propelled St. Joseph to the 74-71 victory over Brooks in the marquee game of the Bob Hambric Shootout Sunday at T.F. North.

Johnson hit four three-pointers in leading the Chargers (9-5) with 27 points. He scored a season-high 31 points when the Chargers beat Brooks in the Proviso West tournament last December. “I’ve been in a good rhythm lately,” Johnson said. “We had a lot better teamwork and effort in that third quarter and played with a lot more energy,” he said.

Behind the play of sophomore guard Erick Locke (25 points), Brooks dominated early in seizing a 27-21 lead at the break. “They controlled the tempo and they didn’t let us get out and do what we want to do, which is run,” Johnson said. “Most teams are not able to run with us.”

Brooks (6-9) scored the first six points of the third quarter to take its largest lead, 33-21. Brooks guard Xavier Wells drilled a three-pointer from the left baseline for a 39-28 Eagles advantage.

Then Johnson went to work. He drilled a three-pointer from the right wing and followed with a runner in the lane and a gorgeous feed to Paul Turner (17 points) for a lay up that capped the 9-0 Chargers’ burst. Locke’s free throw temporarily halted the run, but Johnson tied the score at 40 with two free throws. His third three-pointer of the quarter expanded the Chargers’ lead to 45-40.

“Reggie hit those shots and it gave us the momentum,” Turner said. “We got back with our defense and then Reggie picked it up for us.”

Sophomore Michael Brooks (six points) hit a three-pointer and ended the third quarter with a beautiful assist to Jawaan Toney as the Chargers exploded for 31 third-quarter points for the 52-43 lead.

“We knew (Johnson) was the guy for them because he was the difference in the last game,” Brooks coach Bobby Locke said. “We have really struggled in third quarters this year. For whatever reason we don’t play with the same passion and intensity there.”

Johnson’s final three-pointer early in the fourth quarter swelled the Chargers’ run to 30-4 and provided St. Joseph its largest lead at 58-43. Locke scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to narrow the final margin for the Eagles.

Wells added 15 points for the Eagles. William Gates and Dwight Cunningham scored 10 points apiece.

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