Lower Merion defeats Harrisburg, heads to state semifinal

Published: Monday, March 18, 2013

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By Eddie Levin
For mainlinemedianews.com

Lower Merion posted a thrilling 63-62 come-from-behind win against Harrisburg in a PIAA Class AAAA boys’ basketball state quarterfinal Saturday at the Geigle Center on the campus of Reading High School.

With Lower Merion (26-3) trailing 59-58 with less than a minute to play, the senior tandem of Raheem Hall and BJ Johnson struck. Hall fed Johnson on a back-door cut that resulted in a baseline slam by Johnson to give his team a 60-59 lead. Johnson was fouled on the slam, and converted the free throw to push the lead to 61-59.

Lower Merion coach Gregg Downer said, “BJ made a big-time play at the end of the game like big-time players are supposed to make.”

JaQuan Johnson added, “BJ has been doing that all year. He knows when to step up.”

Prior to that play, BJ was forced to the sideline after turning his ankle. After tightening the shoe and some running and stretching in the corner of the gymnasium, Johnson knew he had to come back into the game.

“I kind of turned my ankle,” said Johnson, who tallied 14 points and grabbed five rebounds. “I was kind of playing on adrenaline. We have 10 seniors and we did not want to see our season end.”