Ridgewood boys basketball rallies for second sectional title in three years
RIDGEWOOD — Johnny Jackson was not having a good night during Friday's North 1, Group 4 sectional final, entering the locker room with only two points at halftime. After the second half, it became a night Jackson will never forget.
"It was definitely not a good feeling," Jackson said. "I just had to reset and focus on the second half to try and do what I could for my team."
The junior scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half as Ridgewood, who trailed by double digits in the first quarter, stormed back for a 57-54 win over East Orange in the North 1, Group 4 sectional final on Friday.
"They showed a resilience today," head coach Mike Troy said. "Our role guys stepped up when guys didn't have their night. Johnny didn't have a good night until the fourth quarter and when we needed him and the lights were brightest, he delivered."
The Maroons trailed by as many as 12 in the first quarter as Jackson and fellow leading scorer Evan O'Reilly struggled from the field. That led to a surge from many of Ridgewood's role players. Tyler Nesland hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first eight minutes, cutting the Ridgewood deficit to 21-12.
"It made the lead manageable," Troy said. "There is no 20-point shot. Just keep chopping away. Make it six, then make it four."
More importantly, it that sparked a 14-0 run by Ridgewood to take the lead for the very first time. Nesland had 14 points in the first half to tie the game at 29 at the half.
"That was probably the most points we have been down all season," Nesland said. "We needed something to pull us back in and it led to a run we knew we had in us."
Jackson got into a rhythm in the third quarter with six points, including a running layup in the final seconds of the quarter. East Orange held on to a 42-40 lead after three quarters. Jackson would score 12 points in the final eight minutes, but it was senior Evan O'Reilly's three pointer in the final minute that gave Ridgewood the lead for good.
It's the second title in three years for Ridgewood, who reached the sectional final a season ago and came up short. As the final seconds ticked down, the vocal Ridgewood student section stormed the court to create a sea of white shirts on the court.
"Find me a better crowd," said Troy. "I don't know if we win this game in East Orange. I don't know if we win this without that crowd. It was electric in here. I've coached playoff games here with 10 people in the stands, so this was unbelievable."
It capped a run of close playoff games for Ridgewood on the way to the title. A first round matchup with Bergen Tech saw the Maroons trail heading into the fourth quarter, while the semifinals resulted in a three-point win over Memorial.
"I think that was the best thing that could happen to us," said Troy. "You don't always like it while it's happening, but you understand different situations when things aren't always going your way."
Now, Ridgewood has a group of students, including Jackson, who are the first Ridgewood boys basketball players to have multiple sectional titles in their high school career.
"It's been amazing to be here and be a part of something special," said Jackson. "It didn't start as a good day, but it ended as one."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood NJ boys basketball rallies by East Orange for section title
