SOMERDALE - The Pitman High School boys basketball team was stunned by Tri-County Conference opponent Triton, 57-53, last Friday.
The Panthers were granted an opportunity to bounce back with another conference rival lined up as a part of the second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day showcase at Sterling High School.
Pitman's Elijah Crispin (3) drives to the basket as a pair of Kingsway defenders look to contest the shot in the basketball game played at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day showcase at Sterling High School in Somerdale, New Jersey on Monday, January 15, 2023. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network
The Panthers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 57-40 victory over Kingsway behind Elijah Crispin's game-high 19 points, five rebounds and six assists on Monday. Pitman improved its record to 9-3.
In the first half, Sonny Myers jumpstarted Pitman's offense with eight of his 13 points. Kingsway's Dasir Williams-Bey scored five of his team-high 16 points in the first half.
Crispin and Myers combined for 24 out of the team's 36 second-half points. The Panthers opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to establish an 11-point advantage.
Michael Fisicaro, Stephen Devanney and Porter Kostiuk each contributed for the Panthers. Fisicaro poured in nine points and added four assists, Devanney tallied four points and seven rebounds, and Kostiuk added 12 points off the bench with three rebounds.
"Every player on the court for us is of equal importance," Pitman coach Ron Myers said. "We're a very deep team. I can rely on any of my starters or anyone coming off of the bench to do their job and power us to a win."
Crispin, the son of former Penn State standout Joe Crispin, was born into an elite family of scorers. It's no surprise he has the capability to score at any level. His confidence powered the Panthers to a needed win.
"My shots weren't falling early from outside but I knew eventually they would," Crispin said. "I don't shy away from an open look. If I'm not open outside I'm not afraid to drive to the basket or find a teammate that is open."