It's On To The Final Four In D-II For Johnston Girls

The girls' varsity basketball team of is ensuring a riveting finale to Coach Dan Mazzulla's final year helming the team. On March 6, the Lady Panthers secured a berth in the Division II semifinals with a 53-46 victory over West Warwick at Rhode Island College.

"We're very happy overall," the coach said after the contest. "It was a nice team effort."

The game took a back-and-forth tone early, as both teams staged rallies in the opening minutes. West Warwick's Lady Wizards tied the game at 14 with just over eight minutes left in the first half.

Seniors Samantha Maner and Victoria St. Angelo took over as the first half drew to a close, with St. Angelo hitting a three-pointer and responding to a Lady Wizard trey with another two points with just 5.7 seconds remaining.

West Warwick set a tough defense on senior Alaina DeNoncour in the second half, seeming to rattle the 1,000-point career scorer. Following a charge, DeNoncour attempted a block on Lady Wizard Tyreese Garrick and drew her fouth foul of the game.

Mazzulla decided to bench DeNoncour at that point, which gave the Lady Wizards a chance to close the gap.

"They were pesky, and they were able to make it difficult for (DeNoncour) to move," Mazzulla explained. "Once she was out of the game, they could push back and tie."

West Warwick pulled even at 43 with 5:17 remaining in the game.

Later, after returning from the bench, DeNoncour and senior captain Gianna Mazzulla led a 6-0 run, including two clutch free throws with 2:38 left.

Johnston is scheduled to play The Prout School on Wednesday night at RIC after the Crusaders defeated Cranston High School East, 44-36, in Sunday.

See a complete re-cap of all Sunday's Division II action on the .